Philip J Abbott

     Philip James Abbott, 96, of Cataract, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on July 8, 2018.  He was born on October 26, 1921 to Wilson and Gladys Millard Abbott.  He was the second of twelve children.  He entered the service in 1942 during WWII.  He was discharged in January 1946.  He married Dorothy “Lucille” Johnson on September 14, 1946.  They were married until her passing in 2009. 

     Philip retired from the Veterans’ Hospital in 1980.  He was a member of the Cataract Methodist Church and the Melrose American Legion Post 439. Philip’s passions were cutting wood and his garden.  He spent a lot of time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

     Philip is survived by his children, Philip James Jr. (Butch) of Black River Falls, Nancy Jo Whitaker of Cataract, Betty Ann Voight of Hatfield, and Randy Lee (Debbie) Abbott of Sparta; grandchildren Kurt (Connie) Abbott, Karen (Dan) Stelter, Chris (Lori) Abbott, Nathan (Tracy) Abbott, Nicholas (Megan) Abbott, Amy (Greg) Fitzsimmons, James (Stacey) Whitaker, David (Kim) Whitaker, and Zack (Daisie) Thompson; great-grandchildren, Charley Abbott, Even Mahlum, Stephan Abbott, Amber Abbott, Justin Abbott, Carrissa Stelter, Trisha Abbott Matthews, Avery Abbott, Eleanor Abbott, Celeste Abbott, David Whitaker, Marisa Maass, Thomas Fitzsimmons, Jenifer Fitzsimmons, Stefanie Fitzsimmons, Kylee Abbott, Tristin Abbott, Griffin Abbott, Casey Thompson and Bryan Thompson; great-great-grandchildren, Zander Maass, Ariel Maass, Frankie Abbott, and Max Abbott and many nieces and nephews. Philip is also survived by his siblings Ellen (Robert) Flood of California, John (Kathryn) Abbott of Sparta, and Joseph Abbott of De Soto; four sisters-in-law, Mary Abbott of Bloomer, Joan Abbott of Rockland, Alice Johnson of La Crosse, and Joyce Johnson of La Crosse as well as many, many cousins.

     Philip was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; grandson, Kelly Abbott; two great-grandchildren, Owen and Zoe Abbott; and by seven brothers and one sister.

     A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at the Cataract United Methodist Church with Reverend Roberta Nowicki officiating. Military honors, provided by American Legion Post 439 of Melrose will follow at the church. Burial will be in Cataract Cemetery.

     Family and friends are invited to call from 9 a.m. until time of services on Saturday at the church. The family strongly recommends in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Cataract United Methodist Church or Mayo Health System Hospice. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

     The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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