David William Phillips, 73, of Galena, IL, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 17, 2019. A Celebration of Life will be held at 7 PM, Friday, June 21, 2019, at the Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena where family and friends may gather after 3 PM. Military honors will be accorded following the service by Galena VFW Post #2665 and American Legion Post #193. Burial will be held at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded. Born to Lloyd and Darlene (Haislet) Phillips in Sioux City, IA, on April 7, 1946, David grew up in Galena. While in high school David joined the Navy Reserves then reporting for active duty serving aboard the USS Pocono. He was member of the Galena Fire Department with over 20 years of active service achieving the rank of Captain and a member of the Galena Elks Lodge for over 50 years. At an early age he started sweeping floors at The Galena Body Shop, his Father’s business. Over time he became a skilled auto body repair craftsman. He also worked at John’s Body Shop in Hazel Green for a number of years before his retirement. Not one to sit still, he became the “CEO” of groundskeeping for Greenwood Cemetery and frequently commented that he had over 7,000 people under him. On December 17, 1985, David married Dianne Bastian, his wife of 33 years. David had a quick wit about him with the goal of putting a smile on faces—if only for a handful of seconds—to brighten someone’s day. As an avid NASCAR fan, he loved to travel to Florida for the Daytona 500—an annual trek for David and Dianne for a number of years. Las Vegas was his destination of choice in recent years. David was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family. He is survived by his wife, Dianne, two daughters Renee (Brian) Montgomery and Teri (Jeff) Curtis, and son Brian (Pam) Phillips. Grandchildren Samantha (Casey) Lange, Jordan (Stefan) Gebauer, Dalton Montgomery, Cody (Breanne) Johnson, Kyle (Jodie) Johnson, Ryan Bussan, Nicolas Bussan, Haleigh Curtis, and David Lincoln. Great grandchildren Ava and Mason Lange, Tesla Gebauer and Ella Johnson. Brother Terry (Becky) Phillips and a sister Wendy Greene. Mother-in-law Jane Bastian, Sister-in-law Lisa (DJ) Bastian, former wife Cheryl White, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Dale Bastian, brother-in-law Terry Greene and niece Becky Greene. Special thanks to Dr. Hermann, Finley Hospital staff and the dedicated professionals from Hospice of Dubuque for care and compassion during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations made in memory of David to Hospice of Dubuque, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or a charity of choice.