James P. ‘Phil, Digger’ Gress | 71 | Hardin

James P. “Phil, Digger” Gress, 71, of Hardin, Illinois passed away at Calhoun Nursing and Rehab on Sept. 24, 2024, with his family by his side.
Phil was born on Feb. 5, 1953, to the late Paul and June Gress (Matthews) of Hardin. He graduated from Calhoun High School in 1971 and went on to graduate from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, IL. He later traveled back to Jerseyville, IL, where he worked for Gubser Funeral Home. Jerseyville is also where Phil met his wife and best friend, Brenda Varble. They were married on Aug. 15, 1981, at Peace United Church of Christ, in Jerseyville.
In 1985, Phil and Brenda moved back to Hardin, IL, where Phil began working at Hank’s Funeral Home. He would eventually purchase the three funeral homes in the county in 1997 where he served his community until retiring in 2016.
Phil and Brenda welcomed two daughters, Jamie Mook (Nick) of Hardin and Kati Blackwell (Jacob) of Hamburg, IL, but the real stars of the show are their three grandkids, Autumn Mook (7), Jamanson (6) and Jovie Blackwell (6 months).
Phil wore many hats throughout the years. While running the funeral homes, he also served on Hardin’s village board for over 20 years, served multiple terms as Mayor of Hardin and also held various positions at Aeries Winery in Grafton, IL during his retirement years. If there is one thing that Phil loved more than his family, it was being social. Phil did not know a stranger. He also loved telling a good (or bad) joke and giving his friends a hard time. Phil was an avid golfer and a die hard St. Louis Cardinal’s fan. He also enjoyed a good Calhoun football or softball game.
In recent years, Phil found a love for painting and could often be found watching reruns of Bob Ross while planning what to paint next. He also had a love for music. Throughout the years, Phil played the drums in multiple bands, including the Crypt Kickers, and was also apart The Calhoun Entertainment Company’s spring musicals and jamborees. Phil was also an avid TV watcher, self proclaimed King of the Price is Right, and a master of Jeopardy. If you stopped by Phil and Brenda’s home in the mornings, you could often find him drinking coffee with his best buddy, Bill Gerson, while quoting The Three Stooges.
Phil is survived by his wife, two daughters and three grandkids, along with two sisters, Renee Sagez (Tim) of Hardin and Jill Rulon of Missouri, one sister-in-law, Nadine Gress (Doug) of Nutwood and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Marlon and Flossie Varble; brother, Doug Gress and a nephew, Jason Sagez.
Visitation was held Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Gress, Kallal, and Schaaf Funeral Home in Hardin.
Funeral Mass was Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. Norbert’s Church in Hardin.
Memorials can be made to the Calhoun Ambulance or family choice.
Online condolences can be made at www.kallalandschaaf.com.