Philip Rhea

Philip Rhea

Feb. 23, 1939 - Oct. 13, 2017

McCOOK, Neb. — Philip Rhea, age 78, of McCook, passed away at his home in McCook on Oct. 13, 2017.

He was born in Rawlins County, near Chadron, Kan., 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, Kan.

Phil was united in marriage to Beverly Dinnel-Longnecker on Nov. 10, 1984. The couple made their home in Funk, Neb., 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; four sons, Bruce and wife, Trish Rhea of Kensington, Kan., Brian and wife, Robin Gilliland of Lincoln, Neb., Brad and wife, Christine Gilliland of San Diego, Calif., and Christopher and wife, Karen Rhea of Mankato, Kan.; three daughters, Monica and husband, Kenny Walker of Mankato, Kan.; Deanna and husband, John Somers of North Platte, Neb., Kathy and husband, Kevin Brant of Louisburg, Kan.; four step-sons, Randy and wife, Susan Longnecker of Wallsburg, Utah; Donald and Mary Jo Longnecker of Indianola, Neb.; Bill Longnecker of McCook; and Shaun and wife, Gina Hendrix of Fremont, Neb.; 24 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; brothers, Kenny and wife, Joann Rhea of Mankato, Kan., and Duane Rhea of Honolulu, Hawaii; along with one nephew and three nieces.

Visitation for Phil will be held at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Family will be present to greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, 2 p.m. in Mankato, Kan., at the Harmony Methodist Church with Pastor Gerry Sharp. Friends may leave condolences at herrmannfh.com. Memorial contributions made will given to the Rock Hills USD 107 Booster Club.

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.