Phillip Hallenbeck Sr.'s Obituary
Phill was something else. An amazing, some might say “bigger than life” character who lived a full and adventurous life. He was born on September 17, 1936, in Lansing, Michigan to Harry and Enid Hallenbeck. The family moved to Grand Haven about 1951. Phill was a multi-sport athlete who excelled at swimming, basketball and track. After graduating from Grand Haven High School in 1953, he attended Hillsdale College and played center on the basketball team. On February 2, 1954, the Hillsdale team played Rio (Rye-o) Grande College from Ohio. Rio Grande featured a scoring machine named Clarence “Bevo” Francis. At 6’ tall, Phill was no match for the 7” Bevo who would score 113 points to set the single game collegiate scoring record. Phill’s claim to basketball infamy came to an end in 2012 when Bevo’s record was broken. He joined the Navy in 1955 as a radioman and participated in exhibition boxing. He married his high school sweetheart Sandra Ray Collette in 1962, and they lived in the Grand Haven area for the duration of their lives. Sandra passed away in 2016. Phill and Sandra had 3 children: Phill Jr (Lois), Phippi Garrison (Thomas), and Pamela Miller (David), 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. He was member of the American Legion and the Eagles and Elks clubs. He loved to hunt, fish, bowl, play pool, shoot trap and socialize. He participated on multiple teams that won state trap shooting titles. His work life was varied as well and included being an award-winning salesman, a commercial fisherman, and a truck driver. Due to failing health, Phill spent his last months in an assisted living memory care facility. No one who knows him would be surprised to hear that he escaped twice out the window of his room. He was proud of his family, was a loyal friend and social butterfly that will be missed by many. This is too small a space to represent a life that was very large. There will be a visitation for family, friends and anyone with Phill story to tell. Please join us at the Grand Haven Eagles Club on January 23, from 5 to 7 pm.
Arrangements entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Service, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com
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