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DDerry Family Archive
Great-Grandfather (Maternal)

Elton Laverne 'Verne' Philo

30 Dec 1922 – 1 Dec 2015

Verified
Kyle DerryDebra L. Philo DerryElton Laverne 'Verne' Philo

Life

Elton Laverne Philo — known as "Verne" — was born 30 December 1922 in Union Township, Isabella County, Michigan, the son of Harley G. Philo and Helen E. Lethorn. On July 4, 1942, he married Ina Mae Racer at the First Church of Christ parsonage in Mt. Pleasant. Together they raised two children: Mark D. Philo and Debra L. Derry (Kyle's mother). Verne and Ina Mae rode motorcycles across 40 US states and 4 Canadian provinces. He died December 1, 2015 in Mt. Pleasant. Ina Mae preceded him on March 17, 2015 — they had been married 72 years.

Timeline

  1. 1922
    Born30 December 1922 — Union Township, Isabella County, Michigan
  2. 1922
    Marriage Length72 years
  3. 1942
    MarriedIna Mae Racer — 4 July 1942, First Church of Christ, Mt. Pleasant
  4. 2015
    Died1 December 2015 — Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

Claims in the record

Elton Laverne Philo (known as 'Verne')
30 December 1922 — Union Township, Isabella County, Michigan
1 December 2015 — Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
Ina Mae Racer — 4 July 1942, First Church of Christ, Mt. Pleasant
72 years
Harley G. Philo
Helen E. Lethorn
Robert Philo (preceded him in death)
Mark D. Philo (spouse Louann) and Debra L. Derry (spouse Wyn)
Rode motorcycles through 40 US states & 4 Canadian provinces
Crestwood Assisted Living, Mt. Pleasant (last 2 years)

Sources

Verified

Elton L. Philo obituary, The Morning Sun (Mt. Pleasant), December 2015. Parents Harley G. Philo and Helen E. Lethorn; born Union Township; died 1 Dec 2015.

Verified

Michigan veterans burial listing (interment.net compilation): Elton L. Philo, born 30 Dec 1922, died 1 Dec 2015, Riverside Cemetery, Mount Pleasant.

Research next

Confirm 30 December 1922 against a Michigan birth record or WWII enlistment. Morning Sun obituary gives place and parents; veterans burial compilations give the full date.