Donald F. "Rusty" Phillips, 83 of Solon died Friday, March 10, 2006 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City after a brief illness.  Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at Brosh Chapel in Solon.  Burial will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Brosh Chapel in Solon and for an hour prior to services Tuesday at the chapel.

Rusty was born December 28, 1922 in Ely, the son of John and Adeline Hanssen Phillips.  He married Janet Crew and they later divorced.  He married Rita Marie Horner in February of 1972.

Rusty is survived by a son Randy (Mary Ann) Phillips of Solon ; a stepdaughter Robin (Bob) Irving of Solon; a stepson Don (Pam) Horner of Hiawatha; grandchildren Teresa, Gina and Patrick Phillips; greatgrandchildren  Jesse Reese, Jamie Laschanzky, and Evan Schneider; stepgrandchildren April Grimm and Andrea Irving; stepgreatgrandson Carter Grimm; a  niece Carol Ulch and a cousin John (Martha) Phillips.

Rusty owned and operated many businesses in the area, including the Country Café.  He liked people and having coffee with the "old guys".  He was an avid outdoorsman.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his early years.  He followed the Solon sport teams and watched and listened to many games on the television and radio. Rusty said he was glad he lived long enough to see both Solon Boys and Girls Basketball teams make it to State.  Rusty enjoyed the time spent with family including his weekly visits with Rocksy, and later Carol.

Preceding him in death were his parents John and Adeline Phillips, his wife Rita, a sister Rocksy Ulch.

Memorials may be directed to the family.