Philip D. "Phil" Stillson, 76, of Elkhart, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born in Mishawaka, IN on March 17, 1950, to the late Gerald A. and Beatrice (Wilson) Stillson.

Phil is survived by his loving wife, Barbara “Barb” L. Stillson; daughters, Carrie (T.J.) Repaich and Jenni (Kaleb) Wegner; grandchildren, Ali Repaich, Caleb (Kaylee) Repaich, Emily (Aidan McBride) Repaich, and Joshua Repaich; great granddaughter, Emersyn McBride; brother, Larry Stillson; sister-in-law, Tami Stillson; several brothers and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews along with many great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his brother, Dick Stillson.

Phil was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, educator, and coach. He had never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went. Phil married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Kleiser, on November 7, 1970, and together they shared 55 wonderful years by each other’s side. He received his master’s degree in education and went on to be a social studies teacher for Elkhart Community schools as well as a driver’s education teacher for a time. Phil enjoyed his time as an assistant football coach for nearly 20 years at Elkhart Central High School and coaching for the Junior High Wrestling team. Prior to retiring in 2013, he served as an administrator in which he was the assistant principal for Elkhart Central High School. Phil was loved by all those he coached throughout his life.

Phil was a devout Catholic and was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church and was currently a member of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and was honored watching his son-in-law, T.J., become a knight. In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing with his close friends and playing with his poker group regularly. Phil took great pride in a well-manicured lawn and was very particular in its impeccable appearance. In his earlier years, he and his family would go camping and spend vacations at the Lake Cabin with friends they had met where they would enjoy swimming in the lake. In recent years, he and his wife wintered in The Villages where they would enjoy each other’s company, make new friends, and spend their days in the sun golfing, going for walks, and playing games. Phil had a long history of fighting his heart disease that began in 2006. He was blessed with a heart and kidney transplant on Christmas of 2019 that allowed him to remain with his family and celebrate his 50th anniversary with Barbara in 2020. To say Phil will be missed is a great understatement. His memory will be cherished by his loving family, many friends, and all the lives he positively touched throughout his life with his kindness and leadership.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart, IN. Mass will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 11 a.m. officiated by Father Terry Fisher with visitation an hour prior from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula St. Bristol, IN 46507. Cremation will follow services and Phil will be laid to rest at Fairview Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations may be given to Donate Life America, 5516 Falmouth Street, Suite 302, Richmond, VA 23230; American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692; or American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.