Phillip D. Haslett

   Phillip Dale Haslett, age 91, of Pana, Illinois passed away at 12:41 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

Graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Sidener Cemetery in St. Elmo, Illinois. Military Rites will be observed. PeeWee Denton will be officiating. Memorials may go to Sidener Cemetery or the donor’s choice. 

Phillip was born on December 18, 1931 in Avena Township, Illinois, the son of Frederick Berthal and Laura Belle (Sidwell) Haslett.  Phil graduated from St. Elmo High School in 1950 where he was Vice President of the FFA, played basketball, football, track, and was a member of the band.  Phil married Elaine Poland on August 31, 1957 in St. Elmo.

After high school Phil worked at Marathon Service Station in St. Elmo before joining the Army in 1952.  Phil did his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and was a member of 231st AF A Battalion. He was then stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  After his time in the service, he attended Sparks Business College in Shelbyville, IL.  He worked his way through college working as a night manager at The Lidster Hotel.  He met his cohorts and lifelong friends Bob Hayden and Wally Taylor while attending.  He graduated with a degree in accounting. Phil worked as a Receiving and Inspection Clerk at Caterpillar and later in the Accounting Office at Firestone.  He also bought and ran The Elmo Theater in St. Elmo in the 1970’s & 80’s.

He is survived by his son, Jay Haslett (Lynn) of Shelbyville; daughter, Tammy Grotts (Robert) of Pana; sister Mary Jane Ray of Slidell, Louisiana; grandchildren, Ashley Bauer (Rich), Megan Meachum (Cody), and Jason Grotts (Rachael), The Boy Moeller (Tiffany) great- grandchildren Adelaide, Isabelle, and Ryden Bauer, Logan, Emily, and Harper Meachum and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Berthal and Laura Belle Haslett; brothers, Kenny and Bobbie Haslett; a sister in infancy, Iris Haslett; sisters-in-law, Reta Haslett and Doris Haslett, brother-in-law Danny Ray, and nephew Mike Haslett.

The family would like to thank Gary Hayden and Staff, Pana Wellness Center, and Quad County Health for their care, compassion, and patience. 

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