Kaeleb Christian Phillips, 19, of Bellefonte, passed away Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, unexpectedly. Born July 24, 1990, in State College, he was a son of Terry and Beth (Eckley) Phillips. Kaeleb was a graduate of Bellefonte Area High School and CPI in 2008. He participated in both football and wrestling. He enlisted in the US Air Force, but incurred an injury during basic training and was medically released.
Kaeleb was a free spirit who enjoyed life to its' fullest. Known as a social butterfly, he made everyone feel welcomed, whether he knew you or not. His smile was both infectious and contagious, and those around him would readily respond in the same manner. Kaeleb enjoyed motorcycling, 4 wheeling, going to camp, hunting and fishing. Although the hunting stories became bigger and better each year, probably the one that brought the most laughter was "How to dress a deer" by Dave Jones. This class took place every year for the past seven years with the same three boys; Kaeleb, Kyle and Brandon, attending.
Kaeleb had many "families" over his short lifetime, including Dick & Peg Blair, Betty & Lou Shawley, Jackie, Andy and Drew Pillot and Connie & Dave Jones. Often, we joked with the Jones's as to who should claim Brandon and Kaeleb on their tax return. His largest extended family and probably the one who had the greatest impact and created the most memories was his wrestling family. It was nothing for him to go to a tournament on Saturday, get home late, then turn around and go to another on Sunday. He truly loved the sport, the people he met, and as stated at age five, he wanted to "collect" trophies as his hobby.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his younger brother, Kyle Phillips, at home and half brother, Adam (Monica) Phillips, of Moshannon and their two children, Morgan and Ashton; his maternal grandparents, Leroy Eckley, of Valley View and Donna Eckley, of Unionville; and his paternal grandmother, Christine Kitchen, of Bellefonte. Also surviving are numerous aunts and uncles; Rick & Susan (Eckley) Breon, their sons, Elijah and Jacob, Janice Lingle and the late Walter Lingle, Tim and Barb Phillips and their daughters, Nicole and Katrina, Mike and Melody Kitchen and their son, Dillon, Tory and Leslie Kitchen and their daughter, Paige and son, Tory, and the children of the late Ricky Phillips; Kaylee, Cheyenne, Ethan, Vee, and little Ricky. He is also survived by his best friend and the love of his life Taylor Cable. They were inseparable since they started dating in the summer of 2006. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Glen Kitchen.
A public visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, from 6-8 p.m., at Wetzler Funeral Service Inc., 206 N. Spring St., Bellefonte. Funeral services will be Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at 11 a.m. with Reverend Frank Skies officiating. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bellefonte Wrestling Association at P.O. Box 49, Mingoville, PA 16856.