Katie Belle Phipps

Katie (Franks) Essinger-Phipps, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, age 92, of Crystal Lake, Florida; and formerly of Swanton, Ohio, died Wednesday, October 31, 2018.  She was one of six children, born March 18, 1926 in Cygnet, Ohio to the late Christina (Apel) and Charles H. Franks.  She married her first husband Ira Essinger.  Together they owned and operated a gas service station in Bowling Green.  She was also a well known seamstress and ironed clothing for BGSU professors and residents of the Bowling Green area.  Katie was also a collector of tea cups. 

Later, after Ira died, she married Donald W. Phipps of Swanton.  Together they enjoyed walking hand-in-hand around the neighboring streets.  They also enjoyed wintering in Florida.  

Katie is survived by her husband, Donald; sons, Bob (Shirley) Phipps of Logansport, IN, Carroll (Sharon) Phipps of Inverness, FL, and Gary (Gail) Phipps of Swanton, OH; 4 grandchildren, KariLynn, Holly, Melanie and Crystal; 8 great-grandchildren; and special nephew, Lyle Essinger.

Besides her first husband, Ira Essinger, Katie was preceded in death by their son, Steven I. Essinger, 2 sisters and 3 brothers.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, November 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Union Hill Cemetery in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Swanton Public Library, 305 Chestnut St., Swanton, OH 43558 or the Bowling Green Public Library, 251 N. Main St., Bowling Green, OH 43402.