Philip Rhea, Age 78

Philip Rhea age 78, of McCook passed away at his home in McCook, Nebraska, on October 13, 2017. He was born February 23, 1939, in Rawlins County, near Chadron, Kansas to Herschel and Vera (Jackson) Rhea. Phil went to school and graduated from Mankato High School in 1957. He was a good athlete and received a scholarship to play football at Fort Hays State College in Hays, Kansas.

Phil was united in marriage to Beverly Dinnel-Longnecker on November 10, 1984. The couple made their home in Funk, Nebraska, where Phil drove a fuel truck for many years for the Co-Op. In 2001, they retired and moved to McCook. Phil then began working for Walmart and for the last 16 years he enjoyed seeing old friends and making new.

Phil enjoyed meeting new people and attending gun shows where he would buy, sell, and trade knives. He was an avid coon hunter along with raising coon hounds. Phil and Bev raised Paint Horses and were members of the Paint Horse Association. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge. In 2004, the couple took a once in a lifetime trip to Europe, with his high school graduating class. They visited France, Great Britain, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter: Belinda Gilliland.

Phil leaves to mourn his wife Beverly of McCook; 4 sons: Bruce and wife - Trish Rhea of Kensington, Kansas; Brian and wife - Robin Gilliland of Lincoln, Nebraska; Brad and wife - Christine Gilliland of San Diego, California; Christopher and wife - Karen Rhea of Mankato, Kansas; 3 daughters: Monica and husband - Kenny Walker of Mankato, Kansas; Deanna and husband - John Somers of North Platte, Nebraska; Kathy and husband - Kevin Brant of Louisburg, Kansas; 4 step-sons: Randy and wife - Susan Longnecker of Wallsburg, Utah; Donald and wife - Mary Jo Longnecker of Indianola, Nebraska; Bill Longnecker of McCook, Nebraska; Shaun and wife - Gina Hendrix of Fremont, Nebraska; 24 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; brothers: Kenny and wife - Joann Rhea of Mankato, Kansas; Duane Rhea of Honolulu, Hawaii, along with 1 nephew and 3 nieces.

Visitation for Phil will be held at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 from 10:00 am till 7:00 PM. Family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 till 7:00 PM. Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, October 21, 2017, 2:00 PM in Mankato, Kansas at the Harmony Methodist Church with Pastor Gerry Sharp. Inurnment will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Mankato, Kansas. Visitation will be Friday, October 20, 2017, at the Melby Mortuary, Mankato, Kansas, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., for friends to sign the register. Friends may leave condolences at www.melbymortuary.com. Memorial contributions made will be given to the Rock Hills USD 107 Booster Club.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA