Eileen Fern Vaughn, better known as “Ike” was born on Tuesday, December 30, 1924 at Leasburg, MO, to the union of John Franklin and Mamie (Nee: Campbell) Phillips and left from this life on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at Sullivan, MO, at the age of 92 years.
Eileen “Ike” lived and worked most all of her life in Leasburg. Early in life, Ike worked in the souvenir and ticket shop at Onondaga Cave and then she went to work for the Leasburg Telephone Exchange. She left the telephone exchange to become the owner and operator of the Leasburg Station. She worked there seven days a week for nearly twenty five years.
Most recently, Ike was the owner and operator of the Chat’ N Chew Restaurant in Leasburg. On any given Tuesday evening, you could find the Chat’ N Chew full of musicians having a jam session. They were known as the “knights of the round table”. The restaurant was featured on CNN and Channel 4 highlighting social life in rural America.
She was a member of the American Legion Post of Leasburg, sixty-year member of the American Legion Post Auxiliary, served on the Board of Directors for the Village Apartments of Leasburg and she served on many various committees for the Leasburg community. Ike was truly involved in the community that she lived in.
Eileen made a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1970 at the Cross Roads Baptist Church of Leasburg. She was baptized in the Meramec River near the old Hog Trough Bridge and had been a member of the Cross Roads Baptist Church for many years.
She will always be remembered for her many acts of kindness to others who were in need of anything, including her friendship. She was a person of quick wit, which made a visit with her an enjoyable and often one of laughter. In her spare time Ike enjoyed crocheting afghans for all of her family and friends,
Ike was a loving daughter, sister, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt, great-aunt and friend of many. She will be forever remembered and never forgotten by those who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents John and Mamie Phillips; three brothers Johnnie Phillips, Estel Phillips and Forrest Phillips; three sisters Golden Kline, Barbara Boren and Imo Ransom; infant grandson; dear friend Cammie Garrison; and other relatives and friends.
Those who are left to treasure her memory and to continue her legacy are her loving sons Steve and wife Jackie Vaughn of Viburnum, MO, and Guy and wife Teresa Vaughn of Sullivan; six grandchildren Todd and wife Beth Vaughn of Pennsylvania, Josie and husband Tim Turnbough of Cuba, Jay Vaughn of St. Charles, MO, Jessica and husband Rob Williamson of Sullivan, Chelsea Vaughn of Sullivan and McKenzie Vaughn of Washington, MO; eleven great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; special nephew Rick Ransom of Leasburg; treasured niece Debra Ransom of Leasburg; dear friend Gladys Pennock of Sullivan; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation as held Friday, February 24, 2017 from 5-8 p.m. at the Mizell Funeral Home, 904 W Washington Street, Cuba.
Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Mizell Funeral Home, 904 W Washington Street, Cuba. Special music will be “Beulah Land” and “The Old Rugged Cross”.
Interment and prayers will follow at the Cross Roads Cemetery, Leasburg, MO.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cross Roads Baptist Church clergy fund in Ike’s memory.
The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba is honored to be serving Ike’s family.