Rev. Philip R. Marxson, 83, passed away January 20, 2025. He and his family served as missionaries in Sierra Leone for six years, 1981-1987, and later pastored three United Brethren churches in Indiana and Ohio.

A Celebration of Life service will be held April 12, 2025, at Salem Church of God, 6500 Southway Rd #1, Clayton, OH 45315. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am. The service will begin at 11:00.

Phil grew up in Shelbyville, Ind. He and Sondra were married in 1963 and had three children: Lisa (wife of Bishop Todd Fetters), Kristen, and Michael.

The family served three terms as United Brethren missionaries in Sierra Leone, starting in 1981. Phil was administrator of Mattru Hospital, while Sondra was a nurse and, in the second and third terms, matron at the hospital.

After returning from Sierra Leone, Phil entered Huntington University. He graduated in 1989 with a degree in Bible & Religion, and went on to receive the Master of Christian Ministry in 1991. He was ordained in 1993.

Phil and Sondra served three United Brethren churches: Bethesda UB outside of Huntington, Ind., 1989-1991; Otterbein UB in Rockford, Ohio, 1991-1993; and Olivet UB in New Lebanon, Ohio, 1993-2004. He retired in 2004.

After retiring from the United Brethren ministry, Phil served nine years as chaplain at BrookHaven Retirement Community, and also worked eight years at Gilbert Fellers Funeral Home, both places in Brookville, Ohio.

(submitted by Steve Dennie)