Ina Mae (Racer) Philo, age 91, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 with her family by her side.  She was preceded in death by her parents Robert Everett and Hattie Ellen (Arbaugh) Racer and her two sisters, who she adored, Velma Jewel Kierstead and Beulah Virginia Hill.

     Ina Mae married the love of her life, Elton LaVerne Philo on July 4, 1942.  Together they have two children, son, Mark Douglas (LouAnn) Philo and their children, Jeana (Philo) (Trevor) Bechtel, Amanda Bowers, and Erica (Brown) Marker.  A daughter, Debra (Wyn) Derry, and their children, Kyle Derry and Sarah (SGT Daniel) Prince, and one great grandchild, Brantley Bechtel.

     Ina Mae was born in West Virginia and lived the life of an oilfield worker, moving to Michigan when she was three years old.  Ina Mae was always known as the “new girl” because of her moves to six different schools before graduating from Mt. Pleasant High School where she was the leading lady in her senior class play.  Ina Mae met LaVerne, a handsome football player, in their geometry class.

     Ina Mae and LaVerne had seventy-two years of marriage together.  LaVerne joined the Army during WWII in 1943 and Mom traveled to Army bases all over the country where she always found a job.  Ina Mae prided herself in being a supportive helpmate to her husband LaVerne.  After LaVerne came home from serving overseas, Ina Mae worked at DOW Chemical and LaVerne managed a Giant Supermarket in Midland.  After twelve years of marriage, they were able to start a family.  While owning the Shepherd IGA, Ina Mae was again a supportive helpmate working alongside LaVerne and prided herself in being a wonderful home maker.  Ina Mae was a superb seamstress and made many of her families clothes. 

     Later in life Ina Mae served as the Coe Township Treasurer and loved meeting all the people who came to her home office in Shepherd to pay their taxes.  Ina Mae then went on to become a real estate broker and in 1983 was the top salesperson of the year for Mt. Pleasant Realty. 

     After Ina Mae and LaVerne retired, they liked to ride motorcycles and sitesee.  They would take a vacation on their motorcycle and rode in forty two different states.  They started going to Florida and played golf.  They bought a winter home in Sarasota, Florida, then moved to Orange City where they spent eighteen years living on a golf course.  In recent years, Ina Mae and LaVerne spent their time with their family.  They both resided at Crestwood  Assisted Living with their extended, loving family, the residents and staff of Crestwood. 

     Services will be held at the Rowley Funeral Home at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2015 with Mr. Jason Wilson of the First Church of Christ officiating.  The family will receive friends and family from 1 p.m. until time of the service at 3 p.m.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Church of Christ, or Community Memorial Stadium at MPHS.  Envelopes are available at the funeral home.