Phillip T. Egelston

Phillip T. Egelston, 69, of Jonesboro, died at 5:46 p.m. Saturday, July 23, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born in Willard Hospital on June 29, 1947, in Anna, the son of Dresden Burdette and Adra Echols Egelston.

He graduated from Salem Community High School in 1965 and attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

In January of 1976, Brother Phil was baptized in the Holy Ghost and called soon after into the ministry. For over 10 years he preached on the Open Door Bible Broadcast. He also served as pastor and guest preacher at various local churches.

In the 1980s he curated exhibits of paintings and Victorian art glass at Southeastern Missouri State University. A 10-year retrospective of his own artwork was held at the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1991. Egelston’s artwork has appeared in regional and national art shows and has won many awards.

Egelston was a gifted poet and author. His first published poem appeared in The Saturday Evening Post in 1977. He published four volumes of poetry and one chapbook of short stories.

He was also a collector and expert on Victorian art glass. He was the first editor of the Mt. Washington Art Glass Review and was one of the founding members of the Mr. Washington Art Glass Society. He was a living unit supervisor at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center for 16 years and worked for many years at the Jonesboro Post Office.

He is survived by his dear friend, Glen Bishop of Jonesboro; three brothers, Lyle Thomas (Paula) Egelston of St. Joseph, Roger Kent Williams of Madison, Wis., Keith Williams of Kentucky; one sister, Connie Williams Jourdan (James) Bonner of Edgewood; two nieces, Tammy (Gale) Jourdan Sharp of Keenes and Kristien Bonner of Edgewood; three nephews, Jay Jourdan of Iuka, Steven Jourdan Jr. of Waltonville and Gregory Thomas Egelston of St. Joseph; five great-nieces, Shaley Jourdan of Iuka, Hannah Bonner of Edgewood, Addie Bonner of Edgewood, JoAnn Elise Egelston of Seattle, Wash., and Olivia Breann Egelston of Philo; four great-nephews, Andy Sharp of Keenes, Caleb Jourdan of Waltonville, Hunter Jourdan of Waltonville and Reed Jourdan of Waltonville.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dresden Egelston; his mother, Adra Louise Kathlyn (Echols) Egelston Williams; one brother, Mark Kirk Egelston; and one nephew, Rodney Kirk Egelston.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro, with Brother Glen Bishop officiating. Interment was in Casper Cemetery near Anna.

Memorials can be made to Casper Cemetery.

To view the full obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.

Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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