Phillip M. Porter, 85, of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Monmouth, Illinois.
Phil was born March 5, 1941, in Madison, Wisconsin, the son of Edward L. Sr. and Avis B. (Daily) Porter. He was raised and educated in Monmouth, graduating from Monmouth High School in 1959.
Phil married Sheryl J. Hewitt on May 20, 1960, in Monmouth, and she died on March 29, 2017.
Phil worked at Gambles in York, Nebraska, for several years before moving back to Monmouth and working for Maytag in Galesburg for 35 years, retiring as a superintendent.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Monmouth.
Phil coached baseball for the Lions League in the 1970s and later coached Legion Baseball for several years. He loved playing golf and had two holes in one. He also enjoyed mowing his lawn and riding his John Deere mower. Phil was very social — he never met a stranger and could talk to anyone. Phil and Sheryl loved to dance. Phil’s passion and joy was going to watch his grandchildren play ball and attending any of their activities.
Survivors include his daughter, Jacqueline Payne of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; four grandsons, Peyton (Aubrey) Porter of LaHarpe, Illinois, Jackson (Maddie) Porter of Carthage, Illinois, Hayden Hopper of LaHarpe, and John (Jayne) Payne of Nashville, Tennessee; one granddaughter, Carolyn (Lonnie) Johnson of Monmouth; seven great-grandchildren, Beckham, Cade, and arriving soon, Cameron, Kirstin, Brooke, Caitlyn, Austin, and Camden; two great-great-grandchildren, Maximo and Knox; and one brother, Edward Porter Jr. of Monmouth.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; son, Todd Porter; son-in-law, John Payne; and sister-in-law, Betty Porter.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 27, 2026, at Warren County Memorial Park, Monmouth. Cremation has been accorded. Following the graveside services, a gathering of family and friends will take place at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth. Memorials can be given to the Porter Children Education Fund and sent to the funeral home. For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
