Phillip E. Kitchen, 89, of Arthur, died at 7:24 p.m. Thursday, August 1, 2024 at the Arthur Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2024 at the Arthur United Methodist Church, 128 E. Illinois Street, Arthur, with Pastor Jill Bunker officiating.  Burial will follow in the Arthur Cemetery. There will be no visitation.  Shrader Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Phil was born April 21, 1935 in Martinsville, the son of Russell and Mildred Chrysler Kitchen.  He married Marilyn Joan Hurt in Casey on November 28, 1954; she preceded him in death on October 4, 2023.

Survivors include his son, Douglas Kitchen of Arthur; daughters, Nancee Kitchen of Arcola; Jennifer Kitchen of Arthur; three grandsons, Matthew (Sarah) Kitchen of Sullivan; Isaac (Drew) Kitchen of Atwood; Derek Foust of Arthur; two great grandchildren, Shae Kitchen in Sullivan and Chase Kitchen in Atwood; and a sister, Gayle (Ronald) O'Rourke of Marshall.

Phil was preceded in death by his wife; daughter-in-law, Patti Kitchen; and two brothers.

After graduating high school in Martinsville in 1953, Phil moved to Arthur and began working at USI in Tuscola. While still full time at USI, he attended night school at Millikin University graduating with a degree in accounting in 1969.  He did accounting work on the side, one of his clients being Odum Seed & Supply in Arthur.  In 1974, he left USI and purchased the seed and feed business from Carter Odum, changing the name to Kitchen Seed Company.  Kitchen Seed Company celebrates it's 50th year in business this year.

During Phil's lifetime in Arthur, he was a member of the Jaycee's, was a part time referee, was a Mason, a member of Kaskaskia Country Club, and was a founding member of Tri-County Shriners.  He was Arthur Village President from 1993 to 2001 and was instrumental in getting the Arthur Community Building and city offices built.

Phil loved to hunt, fish, take long distance bicycle trips, and golf.

Memorials are suggested to the Shriners Children's Hospital, St. Louis Ansar Shriners-Tri-County Shrine Club, c/o Stan Harris, 521 N. Illinois Street, Atwood, IL 61913.

Online condolences to the family may be shared at www.hilligossshraderfh.com.