Obituary
Sara “Sally” Jane (Kline) Phillips, age 98, of Mechanicsburg, passed away on Friday, May 12, 2023. Sally was born on Friday, December 19, 1924, in Markelsville to the late Samuel Fickes Kline and Mary Margaret (Flickinger) Kline. Sally was the widow of her first husband, Frank Elmer Rathfon, Jr., whom she married on June 23, 1945 and who died on July 4, 1985; and her second husband, Howard Vincent Phillips, whom she married on May 6, 1989 and who died on September 10, 1999. In addition to her parents and spouses, Sally is preceded in death by her two sons: Robert Lee Rathfon and Steven Wayne Rathfon; her grandson, Steven “Stevie” A. Rathfon; one brother; and five sisters.
Sally’s survivors include her brother, John Kline and his wife, Georgian, of Donnally Mills; her sister, Julia Manning of Mechanicsburg; her grandson, Ross Gibson and his partner, Phil Delasin, of Mechanicsburg; her granddaughter, Kathleen Gibson of Mechanicsburg; several extended family members; and many friends she met along the way.
Sally retired from Sears Roebuck and Company after many years of service working as a retail receiver. She was a long time member of Hope United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg, where she participated in the women’s group. Sally was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a volunteer for Mechanicsburg Area Meals on Wheels for over 25 years. In her spare time, Sally liked going to Bingo, playing cards (her favorites were Bridge and Pinochle), doing puzzles, knitting, flower gardening and bird watching; She also enjoyed attending Masonic dinner dances. Sally was an avid traveler and especially loved her trips to Germany, Ireland, Alaska, Florida and Branson, MO. Above all else, Sally loved her family and relished time spent with them. She will be deeply missed.
All are welcome to join Sally’s family at her viewing on Friday, May 19, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at 12:00 p.m. at Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Celebrant George A. Spangler officiating. Sally’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Buhrig’s Gathering Place (next to the funeral home) immediately following the service. Burial will follow the reception in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Harrisburg.