SPARTA- Meldene F. Phillips, 86, of Sparta, passed away at 8:10 pm, Monday August 7, 2017 at Randolph County Care Center in Sparta, Illinois.

Meldene was born in Chester, Illinois, on November 9, 1930, the daughter of Gilbert F Sr. and Lena Eggemeyer Hogrefe. She married Thomas W. Phillips Jr. on February 10, 1950 in Chester, Illinois. He preceded her in death on October 31, 2014.  Meldene was a retired secretary of warden at Menard Correctional Center. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sparta, Illinois and Delta Theta Tau Sorority.

Meldene is survived by two daughters Nancy Bertetto of Sparta, and Amy (Lyle) Aitken of Tuscaloosa, AL; grandchildren Neely (Alan) Smith, and Ashley (Michael) Martin; and three great grandchildren.

Meldene was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one granddaughter, Lara Paige Bertetto; one brother, Gilbert F. Hogrefe, Jr.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, August 11, 2017 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sparta Illinois with Rev. Robert Bob Miner officiating.  Burial will follow at Caledonia Cemetery in Sparta, Illinois. Visitation will be held on Friday August 11, 2017 at the church where friends may call from 9 to 10:45 am. Memorials may be given to Alzheimer's Association or Randolph County Care Center Activity Fund.