Phillip "Phil" Reynolds Gillespie

Phillip “Phil” Reynolds Gillespie, 86, of Carterville, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Villas of Hollybrook, surrounded by his family.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with Pastor Larry Gilbert officiating.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home.   Burial, with military rites, will follow at the Vienna Cemetery.

Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Carterville, Hospice of Southern Illinois, or to the Rotary Foundation of Carterville.

Phil was born on July 5, 1938, in Carbondale, to James Ned and Imogene (Reynolds) Gillespie. He married Louise M. Green on March 20, 1965, in Hinsdale, Illinois. Together they have shared 60 wonderful years.

He is survived by his wife, Louise M. Gillespie; daughters, Cyndi Thomas of New Baden, and Wendy Gillespie (John Carter) of Colorado; grandchildren, Ashley (Tim) Glass, Paige Thomas, Montez Gilmore-Thomas, and McKenna Carter; great-grandchildren, Josephine and Lukas Glass; plus, several extended family.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Jerald “Jim” Thomas, and brother-in-law, William “Bill” Green Sr.

Phil honorably served our country in the United States Army from 1961 to 1963.

Together with his wife Louise, he owned and operated Phillip’s Ladies Clothing Stores, with locations in Carbondale, Vienna, and Marion, for over 18 years. He concluded his business career as a store manager at Dillard’s in Marion, retiring in April 2000. After retirement, Phil and Louise traveled extensively, visiting 47 states and 24 foreign countries.

He was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church of Carterville and was honored as “Man of the Year” in 2005.  Phil was also an active member of the Greater Carterville Area Rotary Club.

In retirement, Phil dedicated himself to volunteer work. He served with organizations including Hands of Hope, United Way, This Able Veteran, Shawnee Alliance for Seniors—as an Ombudsman—and the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging.

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