John Ralph “Mohawk” Phillips, Jr., 76, of Morgantown, went to be with his Lord Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in WVU Hospital after a long battle of illness from exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
He was born July 2, 1949, at Fort Dix, N.J., the eldest son of the late John Ralph Phillips of Apple Creek, Ohio, and the late Frances Balaban Phillips of Morgantown.
John served in the U.S. Navy as a “Seabee,” specializing in underwater demolition and as a heavy equipment operator during the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, he was attached to the U.S. Marine Corp Battalion #7. He survived the siege of Khe Sanh, but was severely wounded in a cross fire close to camp JJ Carol while transporting construction equipment; he was Medevac to Bethesda Naval Hospital.
He was employed for over 25 years at Century Cable, retiring in June 1996. John was the union representative at the Communications Workers of America for Century Cable.
He was a member of the Riverside Apostolic Church. John was a Mason at the Morgantown Union Lodge No. 4, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and an Osiris Shriner. John was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9916. He served as commander of VFW 9916 and District Two and was past commander to the Military Order of Cooties (MOC) (honor degree of the VFW), Put Tent #14 and state commander to the WV MOC and a member of the American Legion Post 174, and DAV. As state commander to the MOC, he had the privilege to place a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Memorial Services. In 1978, he was awarded “Young Veteran of the Year.”
He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt. He also was quite the poker player, bowler, and was an enthusiast of classic cars.
John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather; his family was always first in his heart and mind. He was blessed with 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He dedicated his life to helping others. Most recently, he was a sponsor helping others to get sober in Alcoholics Anonymous. John will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.
John is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Jean Danser Chisler Phillips; two daughters, Barbara LaVonne Courtney and husband William of Port Orange, Fla., and her children, Amber Nicole Nemergut Blackann and husband Jonathon of Youngstown, Ohio, Chelsea Miranda Nemergut Smith and husband Nathan of Buckeye, Ariz., and Kyle Thomas Nemergut of Jeffersonville, Ind.; Tianna Marie Phillips and companion, Kenney Johnson of Merritt Island, Fla. and her daughter, Britney Barbara Allen of Las Vegas, Nev., a son, Timothy Allen Chisler and companion Kelli Eli of Port Orange and his son, Matthew Paul Chisler and wife Cassy and their children Cobe Allen Matthew Chisler, and Kinsley Maci-Rae Chisler and his step- children, Madison Morgan, Dillon and Damon Lohr of Morgantown, and the children of the late John Christopher Phillips: Alexandria Maranda and companion Grey, Cheyenne Marrette and companion Nate, John Christopher, II, twins, Levi Gavin and Landon Kato of Morgantown. He is also survived by his brothers, Russell Phillips of Wooster, Ohio and Richard Phillips of Carroliton, Texas; a sister, Helen Konchesky of Morgantown; along with several nieces and nephews, Damon Jason, Nathan Ian, Rileigh Phillips and Jeremy Michael Phillips, Landon and James Fisher, Sasha Jo and Dustin Dale Fisher, Peton Konchesky, Robert “Bobby” Konchesky; and special nephews, Anthony Sickles and Jeff Blosser; and very special friends, Brad Nemergut, James Robert Fisher, Dave Stevens, Johnny Parrotta, Carol Liston, Fred Hosey and Earl Breedlove.
In addition to his mother and father, he was preceded in death by his son, John Christopher Phillips of Lithia, Fla.; his brothers, Royce James Phillips of Gainesville, Fla., Harold Dale Fisher II, James Ellis Fisher; and a grandson, Alexander Doane’ Barnett, all of Morgantown; his stepmother, Nancy Phillips of Millersburg, Ohio; grandparents, John Phillips of Brownsville, Pa., and George and Ann Fisher of Westover.
The family thanks the Visiting Angels for all their support over the past few years; especially the Angels, Andrea Knudsen and Shawna Brown. Also, his nurse, Amber West; social worker, Sonya Lewis; occupational therapist, Cara Damm; pharmacist, Lindsay Scheffel; and psychologist, Dr. Ami Bryant; program support, Amy Eastman; chief of HBPC Vicki Dix and all of the doctors at the Louis L. Johnson Medical Center.
Friends may call at the McCulla Funeral Home, 770 Fairmont Road, Morgantown, from 12 noon until the time of services at 1 p.m. Friday, October 3, with Pastor James Sabin officiating. Burial will follow at Beverly Hills Memorial Garden, will full military honors conferred by the Westover VFW Post #9916 and the U.S. Navy.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.McCulla.com
