Phil C. Loethen, 73, of Troy, IL, born Friday, August 8, 1952, in St. Louis, MO, passed
peacefully on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Phil was a faithful member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Troy, IL.  He graduated from
SIUE with a degree in Computer Science.

Abraham Lincoln wrote that "No man is poor who has a Godly mother" In this way, Phil
grew up rich, molded by a loving mother, grandfather, and grandmother.  The defining
moment of his teenage years was meeting his soon-to-be wife, Claudia (he married at the
age of 19, and she 20).  This marriage was quoted by Phil as the best thing he had ever
done.  He often pondered what he would do without her.  For him, it was an
impossible question, something he was truly incapable of imagining.  For the next half
century, through thick and thin, Claudia and Phil were inseparable.  Later, they had
twin sons; to say he was a great father would be the shallowest of understatements.  He
was their baseball coach for 10 years, through innumerable practices and games.  Later,
when they ran cross country and track in high school and college, he was always present,
cheering them on.  When those sons married and had children of their own, he remained
just as involved.  He was a fixture in the lives of his sons and grandchildren.
He always kept with him the value of family and friends, calling whenever he had a free
moment.  Children were drawn to him by his eternally young spirit and inexhaustible
spirit.  Playing softball and later golf with a cadre of gentlemen from different
backgrounds and educations, he kept these friends for decades.  His work life was
divinely blessed by the humblest of meetings with John Holtman.  For over forty years,
they worked together in a brotherhood, celebrating each other victories and being
counsel during losses.  His accomplishments include successful businessman, park board
member, fire department board member, and an elder of the church.  All of his successes
were due to the product of his character.  The essence of the man could best be described
as a man who loved God, family, friends, and country with an unmatched depth and
intensity.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Loethen and Doris (nee Leming)
(Dave) Patton.

Surviving is his wife, Claudia (nee Ernsting) Loethen whom he married June 23, 1972, in
Sparta, IL; his sons, Paul (Jennifer) Loethen of Edwardsville, IL and their beloved
children Katie, Sami, and David; son Scott (Yvette) Loethen of Ballwin, MO, and their 3
beloved daughters; his sisters, Lynne Webster of St. Louis, MO and Kim (Mitch) Graves
of Edwardsville, IL; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Memorials may be made to Eagle House Ministries, 3590 State Route 37 North,
Buncombe, IL 62912, St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis,
TN 38105 or Charity of one's choice.  Online expressions of sympathy may be made
at www.Richesonfh.com

Visitation for Phil will be held 5 to 7 pm on Monday, January 12, and 10 to 11 am
Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 112 N. Border Street, Troy, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, January 13 at St. Paul's Lutheran
Church, Troy, IL with Rev. Albert Collver officiating.  Interment will be in Friedens
Cemetery, Troy, IL