Mary E. Phillips

Mary Ellen Phillips,77, of Washington, passed away on April 21, 2026. Mary, daughter of the late Bill and Shirley Hiatte, was born on December 12, 1948, in Lansing, Michigan. Bill and Shirley settled into a home in New Haven, Missouri where Mary and her 4 siblings were raised.  Mary began working as a waitress, then moved into a career with Walmart.  Mary ended her career in a department manager position, and retired.

Mary was never one to stand idle, joining her family working in a small pizza business.  Mary enjoyed being around people, she was a sweet, caring, and extremely outgoing person.  Mary loved her two children, her nine grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.  She was so grateful that she had found a church that she said “is the right place” for her. She made a wonderful friend who lived next door to her and introduced Mary back into church at Immanuel Lutheran.  She made quick friends within the congregation.

Mary enjoyed decorating for the Christmas season, often having 5 or 6 trees spread throughout her home. She was a big fan of two things, Exit 11 Coffee, and wine.  She loved going to get her coffee after doctor appointments, church, or really anytime. She would ask us to have someone to take her to get her “fix”.  Exit 11 made her feel so special- she was well known and loved by the owners and the staff. Mary was so loved that the staff adopted the name “Mocha Mary”. Mary also enjoyed wine, Barefoot Moscato to be specific.  During her cancer treatments, her oncologist informed her that she could no longer have wine…it is rumored that local sales of this specific wine dropped 82%.  

Mary is survived by her daughter Lori Ficklin (Stone) and Husband Spencer; son Denis Phillips Jr.;  grandchildren Lauren Ficklin and partner Michael Randman, Sean Ficklin and wife Halee, Kyli (Ficklin) and husband Brett Snavely, Zoe Phillips, Sophia Phillips, Cecelia Phillips, Jack Phillips, Benjamin Phillips, Denis Phillips III; Great Grandchildren, Analeigh, Dora, Ruel, and Beckett.  She is also survived by one sister, Debbie Vandegriffe (Stone), and many cousins.  

Mary was preceded in death by her partner for over 30 years, Dan Scharfenberg; parents, Bill & Shirley Hiatt; brothers Richard Stone, Martin Stone, and sister Molly Watson (Stone).

A memorial visitation will be held on May 30, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home. Memorial donations can be made to the St. Francis Borgia Food Pantry.

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