HOLTON – Philip Henry Schirmer, 93, of Holton, died Thursday afternoon, July 10, 2014 at  Medicalodges Jackson County.  He had a zest for life, loved nature and was an avid gardener.  Phil has taken his last tractor ride and done his final do-si-do. 

He  was born February 17, 1921 in Holton, the son of Edward E. and Ida Fricker Schirmer.  He attended a one room school house, Maple Grove.  He graduated from Holton High School in 1938.  Phil served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Dunlap.  He worked for Eubanks Implement & Holton Transport, Henry Implement in Topeka, Holton USD 336 as a custodian and Holton Locker Plant.  After retirement he farmed and raised cattle on the family homestead north of Holton.  

He was a former member of Evangel United Methodist Church and the Holton Volunteer Fire Department, the American Legion Mary L. Bair Unit No. 44.  He and Emma were members of the 16-75 ers Square Dance Club, later JC CO Squares. 

Phil married Emma Roustan October 9, 1949 in Santa Ana, CA.  She survives.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Dorothy Schirmer in infancy and a brother, Duane Schirmer.

Survivors include a son, Ed Schirmer and wife, Ginnie, Circleville; a daughter, Phyllis Dove, Laurinburg, NC; three grandchildren, Leah Schmidt & husband, DW, Belleville, IL, Sarah Palmer & husband, Jeff, KC, KS, and Becky Shaw & husband, Brandon, Holton; three great grandchildren, Eli Schmidt, Eva Shaw and Nora Palmer; a sister-in-law, Martha Braley, Holton.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 14th at the Evangel United Methodist Church.  Burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery west of Holton.
Family will greet friends at 10:00 a.m. until service time on Monday at the church.  Phil will lie in state at the funeral home after 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Holton FFA Chapter or Jackson County Hospice, and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1034, Holton, 66436. On-line condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com