Phyllis J. Hippen

Phyllis Jane Hippen passed away peacefully July 10, 2013 at Snyder Village Medical Center in Metamora IL after a long period of deabilitating health issues. Phyllis was born in Union New York to Morris E. and Mearle Julia (Cady) Bill on July 17, 1924. She was raised in East Peoria by her mother and her stepfather; Joseph Neff Sr. She graduated from E. Peoria High School in 1943. After her graduation and during his furlough from Marine Basic Training, she married her high school sweetheart, William Swearingen. This union resulted in her only child, Sherry Lea. They later moved to Scotland with Caterpillar in the late 50?s where they lived for over four years and had the opportunity to visit several countries in Europe before they returned to East Peoria. Phyllis later married Edwin A. Hippen in 1972 and enjoyed over 30 happy years with Eddie until he preceded her in death in 2005. Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Sherry (James) Cannon from Metamora, grandson William (Lisa) Koenig and great grandson Joey Koenig of Germantown Hills. Her extended family included Stepdaughter Cheryl Hippen of Peoria, stepson Kevin Hippen of Lacon. Step grand daughters Julia (Cannon) Stein in Henderson, NV, Jill Cannon also in Henderson, NV and Erin (Cannon) Schmidgall of Valparaiso, IN Justin Hippen and Jessica Hippen. She was blessed with many step great grandchildren Chris Stein, Sean Stein, Justin Carey, Jamie Carey, Charles Schmidgall, and Jacy Schmidgall. She recently added a step great great grand daughter, Lorelai Stein. A half brother, Joseph Neff Jr. and her niece, Linda Browning of Astoria, OR, also survive her. Phyllis also enjoyed her relationships with Edwin's extended family members. Phyllis was active in the Forrest Hill Methodist Church for 40 years where she enjoyed the company of and was active in her bible study circle. She also maintained her friendship with her High school classmates and enjoyed outings with them until her health reduced her activity. Phyllis worked for a short time at Illinois Bell Telephone, Security Savings and Loan and Peoria Journal Star. Although she wouldn?t admit it, she loved to shop. She loved her soap opera, the Guiding Light and was heart broken when the light was extinguished. She and Eddie loved to watch Lawrence Welk. She loved music and singing along to the "Oldies but Goodies". She loved to play penny bingo and she must have been good at it with the horde of pennies she acquired. She maintained her sense of humor and was a favorite of many of her health care providers at Snyder Village. The family would like to pass on their gratitude to the very compassionate Snyder Village staff of nurses and care givers, Dr. Whitford and the loving members of the Methodist Hospice staff. They all contributed to making Phyllis?s last days as pleasant as possible. . A Funeral Service will be held 3:00pm Monday, July 15th, 2013 at Mason Funeral Home in Metamora with Rev. Ken Hogren officiating. Visitation will be one-hour prior to her service also at the funeral home. Cremation rites will follow her service and private interment will be conducted at a later date in Springdale Cemetery in Peoria. The family asks that instead of sending flowers, they would like to have Phyllis remembered by contributions to either the Forrest Hill Methodist Church or the Snyder Village Center at Metamora