John R. "Rocky" Philip

John R. "Rocky" Philip, 77, of Cross Plains passed away at 7:40pm Monday, April 20, 2015 at his home. He was born at Allentown, Pennsylvania on April 19, 1937 the son of John and Mildred Hess Philip. He was married to Karen Magner on April 6, 1996 and she survives. Other survivors include two sons Jonathan (Lora) Philip of Cross Plains and Winston (Kim) Wilson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; four daughters Lori (Rick) Smith and Karen (Paul) Filek both of Cross Plains, Barbara Wilson of Chillicothe, Ohio, and Crystal (David) McGuire of Dayton, Ohio; 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; six brothers Dennis Philip, Jethro Hooper, Dallas Hooper, Martin (Debbie) Philip, Andrew (Pam) Philip, and Gerald (Denise) Philip; two sisters Donna Marie (Charles) Tolle and Gwendolyn Shipley; sister-in-law Anna Philip. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Raymond Philip. Mr. Philip was a veteran of the US Army and was an accomplished bass guitar player. He had performed in various locations and had played backup for such big names as Ray Price. He was a member of the Southeast Indiana Musicians Hall of Fame and the Cincinnati Musician's Union. John was a driver for Catch-A-Ride in Dillsboro and was a member of the Bear Creek Baptist Church. A celebration of John's life will be held on Saturday, May 9 at 11am at the Bear Creek Baptist Church in Friendship with Rev. Sherman Hughes officiating. Burial will be in the St. Paul Cemetery at Dewberry. Visitation will be from 10am until time of services. Memorials may be given to the Bear Creek Baptist Church in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home.