Phillip Roy Kilmer, 77, of Benton, Ind., died, Feb. 2, 2023.

He was born Feb. 1, 1946, in Goshen to Herman and Katheryn (Yoder) Kilmer.

On June 1, 1968, he married Arleta Schlabach.

Phill worked several careers, from a hospital orderly in Flint, Mich., as his alternative service in the mid-1960s, to a certified nursing assistant at Greencroft, where he retired. In between he was a bank teller, office manager, bookkeeper and receptionist. His first job was catching chickens for Ezra Schlabach, and that is how he met Arleta.

He was a member of the Benton Mennonite Church, where he served in several positions. He was a 31-year veteran of the Benton Township Fire Department, where he also served as an Emergency Medical Technician for 20 years.

He had many interests, from drawing and art to architecture. He enjoyed woodworking and built several pieces of furniture that his family treasures. One of his greatest passions was working his hobby farm and raising Belgian horses.

He will be most remembered for his relationships with people. A husband, father, son, brother, cousin, uncle, friend and, most important, grandpa, he occupied these roles completely and relished each relationship. He made sure that all who were lucky enough to know him knew that they were special.

Arleta survives, along with five children, Kevin (Karilyn), Keith (Kim), Kenton (Jenny), Daniel and Crystal; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; a step-great-grandchild; sister Wanda Cross; sister-in-law Kate (Delbert) Yoder; and brother-in-law Charlie Smith.

He was preceded in death by brothers Delbert Yoder and Ralph Kilmer; sisters Marcia Kilmer and Connie Smith; and brother-in-law Al (Wanda) Cross.