Merle A. Phillips, 89, of Forks Township, PA, formerly of Milford, NJ, passed away on Monday, January 28, 2013 at St. Luke's Warren Hospital in Phillipsburg, NJ.

Born September 6, 1923 in Easton, PA, Merle lived most of her life in Milford, NJ before moving to Forks Township, PA in 2006. She graduated from Easton High School and worked at the Plessey Corporation in Frenchtown, NJ for many years. Merle also worked at Paul's Cleaners in Milford, NJ. She was a member of the First United Church of Christ in Milford, NJ and was a past President and a founder of the Milford Vol. Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary.

Daughter of the late Horace and Sadie Rinker Longley, Merle is survived by her daughter Diane Shaw of Forks Township, PA, her son R. David Phillips Jr. and his wife Alice of Lopatcong Township, NJ, , two granddaughters Cara Lin Graham and her husband John and Krista Komarek and her husband Joe, and three great-grandchildren Erin, Katie and Kayleigh. She was predeceased by her beloved husband R. David Phillips Sr. (1991) and her three brothers Harold, Horace, and Walter Longley.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM at the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Holland Township, NJ with Pastor Dale Sattizahn officiating. Interment will follow in Milford Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Church of Christ, PO Box 483, Milford, NJ 08848 or the Milford Vol. Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, PO Box 25, Milford, NJ 08848.