Phil E. Hively

Phil E. Hively, 76, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Parkview Whitley with family by his side. Born May 25, 1946 in Allen County, he was the son of R. Jack Hively and B. Josephine (Gilbert) Hively-Hibbs.

A lifelong resident of Whitley County, Phil graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1964. He attended IPFW and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. On October 25, 1975, he married Marilyn J. (Herron) Easterday. For over 20 years, Phil was a truck driver and in 2003 began working at Whitley Mobile Homes, retiring 2014. He had been a member of the Columbia City American Legion.

Phil was a gifted and skilled woodworker.  He loved being out in his shop and even operated a saw mill to cut down his own timber for his projects. He also enjoyed polishing stones. Phil would joke around saying he was grumpy and don't ruin his reputation by saying anything other, but down deep, he truly was a great man that had a very joking personality, and often could surprise you.  Phil was looking forward to being on the Veteran's Honor Flight in the following week.

Survivors include his loving wife of 47 years, Marilyn Hively; daughters, Tamara (Mike) Rumsyre, Shannon (Bradley) Plattner; sons, Steven Easterday and Jeffrey Hawn; sisters, Margaret (Tom) Wise and Melanie Sollenburger; brother, Robert (Dorothy) Hively; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, Dennis Sollenburger.

Visitation will be 11 to 12:45 pm, Monday, April 24, 2023 at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will begin at 1 pm at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Compton Cemetery where military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Air Force and the Whitley County Korean War Veteran’s Honor Guard. Memorial donations may be given in his memory to Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana or the Wounded Warrior Project. Visit www.DeMoneyGrimes.com to send Phil's family online condolences or sign the online guest book.