Click here to listen: A tribute to the Phelps family by Frank O. Pinion.

Lendell A. Phelps Sr. age 81 of Maryville, born in Eldorado, IL onDecember 19, 1930, passed away at 1:10am on Wednesday January 11, 2012at Rosewood Care Center in Edwardsville, IL.

Lendell was retired from Cerro Copper in Sauget, IL after 45 years of service. He was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Maryville, past president of the steel workers union #4294 in E. St. Louis, IL, Cerro Copper senior retirement club, past volunteer fireman for the Washington Park, IL volunteer fire department. He and his wife Alice founded and chaperoned the Washington Park Teen Town. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, feeding the geese at his home, and really enjoyed spending time withhis grand and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Emma nee Hughes Phelps, a grandson Scott Phelps, and five brothers.

He is survived by his wife Alice nee Dudley Phelps whom he married on August 14, 1948, a son Lendell (Karen) Phelps Jr. of Maryville, two grandchildren Robyn (Jon) Clark of Maryville, and Brent Phelps of Hamel, IL, three great grandchildren Emma and Matthew Clark, and Scott Phelps, a brother Wayne (June) Phelps of Maryville, a sister Bernice Russell of Eldorado, IL, numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be at6pm on Sunday January 15, 2012at St. Luke's United Methodist Church 6325 West Main Maryville, IL,with the Rev. Sigurd Bjorklund officiating

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Luke's United Methodist Church.