Philip Gordon Farnum II, age 79, of Gilbertsville, previously of Danville, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at Marshall County Hospital.
Philip was born on April 30, 1940 in Vermillion County, Illinois to the late Philip Gordon Farnum I and Pauline Darnell Farnum. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Gilbertsville. Philip graduated from Danville Community College and went on to serve as a Firefighter with the Danville, Illinois Fire Department and as a Medic. Philip loved cars and owned and operated his own auto and farm machinery repair business. He spent his free time coaching children and youth sports, including taking kids to basketball camps and coaching Jr. high and high school girls volleyball. Philip was a huge Boston Celtics fan and would frequently travel to Chicago to see Larry Bird and the Celtics play against the Chicago Bulls. Once he moved to the Gilbertsville area, Philip would spend his free time in his beloved boat fishing on the lakes.
Philip is survived by his wife of 4 years, Linda Ramsey Farnum of Gilbertsville; one daughter, Melissa Duncan of Dexter; three sisters, Mary Burnley of Louisville, Claudia DeWitt of Hoopeston, Illinois and Terrie Williams of Benton; one brother, Bill Farnum of Texas; four grandchildren, Emily Duncan, Andrew Duncan, Samuel Duncan and William Fryman; one niece, Brenda Davis of Fairmount, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his first wife of 55 years, Carol Guthrie Farnum; one son-in-law, Dan Duncan; one sister, Margie Gaffney; one brother Herman Zelich and his parents.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020 at McDaniel Cemetery in Dexter with Rev. Charles LaChance officiating. Filbeck-Cann Funeral Home of Milner & Orr is in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020 at Filbeck-Cann Funeral Home of Milner & Orr.
Expressions of sympathy can be made in memory of Philip G. Farnum to St. Jude Children’s research Hospital: 262 Danny Thomas PL, Memphis, TN 38105 or the Kentucky Sherriff’s Boy’s and Girl’s Ranch: PO Box 57, Gilbertsville, KY 42044