Phil Grier, 93 of Montezuma passed away Wednesday evening, November 27, 2024 at Brooklyn Community Estates. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 pm Monday, December 2, 2024 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in Montezuma. Burial will be held in the Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of Montezuma is in charge of arrangements.

Phillip Stanley Grier, the son of Benton and Elizabeth (Fogle) Grier, was born on November 28, 1930. He was raised in the Deep River/Dresden Area. At a young age, Phil's dad would send him and his brother to town where Phil would buy fudge every time therefore everyone in town starting calling him "Fudge" and that nickname stuck throughout his life.  On January 1, 1950, Phil was united to the love of his life, Elizabeth "Betty" Strausser. To this union three children were born, Diane, Dixie and David. They lived in the Deep River area where he worked for various farmers. Several years later they purchased a farm north of Guernsey and they farmed, milked cows and worked the night shift at Amana.

In the mid 1960's Fudge and Betty purchased a welding/blacksmith shop in Montezuma running it for several years before working for John Deere and International in Montezuma and Brooklyn. They eventually purchased a farm west of Montezuma where Phil went back to farming while working in town. When Phil finally gave up his job in town, he was able to concentrate on farming full time and helping his son, Dave, farm for many years. After Betty passed away in 1999, Phil met his dear friend, Carolyn Woods. Phil enjoyed playing cards, farming, spending time with his family and square dancing with his wife, Betty.

Phil's legacy will be honored by his children Dixie (Larry) Hudnut of Montezuma and Dave (Kathy) Grier of Montezuma; his grandchildren, Amy (Lonnie) Van Maanan, Kevin Hudnut, Amanda Hudnut, Scott (Mandy) Hudnut, Christine (Cole Jones) Grier and Ben (Megan) Grier; his 13 great grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; all of Carolyn's family along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Benton and Elizabeth Grier; his wife, Betty; his daughter and son-in-law, Diane (David) Smith; grandsons, Justin Smith and Christopher Hudnut; great grandson, Bryce Hudnut; longtime friend, Carolyn Woods; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack (Carolyn) Grier and Jerry (Suzanne) Grier; sister, Opal Snitker; parents-in-law, Richard and Hazel Strausser; brother-in-law, Clint Strausser and his sisters-in-law, Shirley Wade, Evelyn (Ellis) Morse, Elsie Nelson and Mary (Bing) Wolf.