Julia Phipps

Julia Mae Phipps, 91, of Westmont, IL (formerly of Westchester, IL) passed away in the early morning of July 10, 2016 at Burgess Square, Westmont, IL.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at St. Patrick's Church in Seneca. Her visitation will be 9:00 - 10:00, one hour prior to Mass, at St. Patrick's Church. She will be buried in Calvary Cemetery in Seneca.

Julia, lovingly known to his family and friends as Jewell, was born in Norman Township, Illinois on August 28, 1924 to James and Ida (Hanley) Hollenbeck. She married James Thomas Phipps on May 7, 1949 and remained married for 66 years.

Julia attended St Angela’s Academy in Morris prior to graduating from Mazon High School. She later returned to school and earned an Associates Degree with honors in accounting from Triton College.

Julia and her husband Tom, traveled extensively and greatly enjoyed gatherings with family and friends. She enjoyed high fashion, sports and was an avid Jeff Gordon/NASCAR fan.

Julia was preceded in death by her husband, James Thomas Phipps (January 2016); her parents Jim and Ida Hollenbeck; brother Fayette Hollenbeck; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Hollenbeck.

She is survived by her brother, Robert Hollenbeck of Seneca (who she phoned daily for the past 20 years); nieces, Elaine Wheeler (Deb Schmitt) of Madison, WI, Patti Meierdirk (Art) of St Charles, IL; nephew, James Hollenbeck (Sheila) of Marseilles, IL; grand-nieces, Amanda Meierdirk (Rick Ricksecker) of Westmont, IL, Jessica Wheeler (Abby Bailey) of Madison, WI, Jenifer Wheeler (Vince Fonseca) of San Antonio, TX; grand-nephew, Tim Meierdirk (Natalie) of Upper Beeding, England. Additionally, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grand nieces and great-grand nephews of the Phipps family.