Obituaries

Philip Myrum Dripps (91) died on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Michaelsen Healthcare Center in Batavia, Illinois, of natural causes. He was born on May 21, 1934 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Allen Ervetus Dripps and Elise Viola Myrum. He married Gam Gee Lem on July 14, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York.  

Phil graduated from Byron High School in Byron, Minnesota in 1952. He attended Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, graduating with a degree in political science.  He attended the Chicago Theological Seminary and was ordained as a Methodist minister. His pastoral appointments include: Ministerial Assistant at the St. James Methodist Church in Kenwood (Chicago) from 1956-1959; Pastor at the Ogden Park Methodist Church in Englewood (Chicago) from 1959-1965; Methodist Chaplain at the Methodist Foundation at the University of Chicago in Hyde Park (Chicago) from 1965-1973; Pastor at the Orland Park United Methodist Church in Orland Park from 1973-1979; Pastor at the Bethany United Methodist Church in Highland Park from 1979-1984; Pastor at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Oswego from 1984-1992; Associate Pastor at the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church in St. Charles from 1992-1999. 

Phil will be remembered by his brother and high school classmates as an excellent athlete and when he moved to Chicago, he became a lifelong Chicago sports fan, especially the Chicago Bears and Cubs. Perhaps his knowledge and admiration of Abraham Lincoln led him to his work in the Civil Rights Movement in Chicago, which included attending a worship service where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke and joining the march in Selma, Alabama. Many of his minister colleagues in the Chicagoland area recall his membership in the John Wesley Theological Study Group, where he would enjoy deep discussions about Christianity, Methodism, and the world. He was a beloved patron of the arts throughout this lifetime, becoming close friends with many artists and musicians. During his tenure at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, Phil instituted jazz worship services and was active in the St.Charles Art and Music Festival by being on the art committee. In his retirement, he continued to connect with past parishioners, read avidly, explored and shared his love of art and music, and spent time with family. 

He is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Ying Selden (Peter Smith) of Caledonia, Michigan, and Maria Ying Dripps-Paulson (Timothy Paulson) of Sugar Grove, Illinois; seven grandchildren: Jett Smith, Maya Selden, and Gabriel Smith of Caledonia, Michigan, and Philip, Clara, Jasper, and Naomi Paulson of Sugar Grove, Illinois; he is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, David and Susan Dripps, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Gam Gee Dripps; his son, Samuel Kim Dripps; his brother and sister-in-law, Wesley and Barbara Dripps; nephew Dennis Dripps and nieces Patricia and Kari Dripps. 

Phil’s love of music will be present at the service of the Commemoration of the Dead. A variety of special music will be sung including the Lacrimose from the Requiem of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the Pie Jesus from the Requiem of Gabriel Fauré, and For the Beauty of the Earth arranged by John Rutter. The service will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, June 6th at the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Avenue, St. Charles, Illinois 60174. The Rev. David Aslesen, pastor of the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, will officiate and administer the eucharistic rites.  

The Rev. Dr. Scott Field, a retired Global Methodist minister, will deliver the homily, and The Rev. Danita Anderson, Assistant to the Bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference, will deliver remarks honoring Rev. Dripps’ service to the United Methodist Church. The Postlude will be performed by local jazz musicians. Following a private interment service at the Columbarium at the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, a luncheon will be held in Wiley Hall of the church. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in remembrance of Philip Dripps may be made to the St. Charles Singers or the Baker Memorial United Methodist Church.

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