Obituary of Philip Dale Greeneway

Philip Dale Greeneway, age 81 of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. Services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. The Reverend John Grohs will officiate. Burial will be at the Forest Hill Mausoleum. Visitation will be held Monday, January 25, 2016 from 4:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, and again on Tuesday at 10:00 A.M. until the time of the church service. Philip was born on September 18, 1934 "in a barn" in Arpin, Wisconsin to Garret and Annette (Huibregtse) Greeneway. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1953. Phil married his high school sweetheart, Audrey Anderson, on August 25, 1956 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids, and they were blessed with fifty-nine years of marriage. Phil graduated from UWSP in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in education. After a few years, he furthered his education by attending UW-Stout, earning a master's degree in school counseling. Philip taught for thirty-seven years in the Wisconsin Rapids School District at Children's Choice, West Junior High, and East Junior High. He also substitute taught for another thirteen years. In addition to his teaching, he was a coach and referee for most of his adult life. He had an enormous impact on the more than 5000 students he worked with over the years. He was very proud to be a teacher and coach in the community. Many will agree that he was a respected mentor and role model. Throughout his life, he remembered most of the young people he had the pleasure of working with. Phil loved his family very much. He and Audrey brought up three children, supporting their school events and taking camping/fishing trips up north in the summer. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren who thought the world of him. He was a deeply spiritual person. He was a church usher, attended Bible studies, and visited church members who were unable to attend. He liked to play golf with his buddies, take part in Senior Center activities, mow his lawn, put puzzles together, cheer on the Badgers and Packers, and he frequently "coached" the LHS Raiders from the sidelines! Phil was authentic and known to be a "character". When Phil entered a room, everyone knew it! Among his many personal accomplishments: His love of the Lord and family, his education, playing sports in high school, being a catcher on the UWSP baseball team, coaching junior high and senior high school sports, coaching American Legion Baseball, having the honor as a referee several times for the WIAA state football and basketball tournaments, umpiring for the Wisconsin Rapids Twins, and refereeing a Division 3 college football game in Ohio. Needless to say, Phil was a huge sports fan. His fire and passion will be missed! Philip is survived by his wife, Audrey, and children Jeffrey (Jennifer) Greeneway of De Pere, WI, Laurie Henke of Wisconsin Rapids, and Peter Greeneway of Wisconsin Rapids. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Garret and Jacob Greeneway, and Elyse and Jared Henke, his brother Carl (Barbara) Greeneway of Wisconsin Rapids, his sister-in-law, Arlette Buss and brother-in-law, Arthur (Judy) Anderson, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Greeneway(and his wife June), brothers-in-law Harlan Buss and Robert Barton (and his wife Shirley), and his son-in-law David Henke. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund in Philip's memory. "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." John 11:25-26