Phillip R. Kingsley, 72, died May 22, 2015, at 9:55 a.m. at Frieda House, Willow Ridge Drive, Bluffton, Ohio. For the past two years he suffered the progressive diminishments of ALS.
He was born Oct. 21, 1942, in Kendallville, Ind., to Leonard and Velma (Emmert) Kingsley who preceded him in death. On Dec. 27, 1966, he married Judith Hilty Kingsley.
Phil wore many hats. Most recently he devoted his energy to organic farming, working the Hilty-Kingsley farm with 1950-era Farmall tractors. Many of his farm innovations involved new applications of ideas, techniques, and tools from the past. He served the Swiss Community Historical Society as president and in other capacities for many years, work that gave a longer, deeper, wider perspective on local history.
For 18 years he taught psychology courses at Bluffton University. He and his wife, Judy, served on the faculty of the University of Swaziland from 1984 to 1988, and the University of Zambia from 1971 to 1982.
He spent many years living and travelling internationally, nurturing cross-cultural relationships in Indonesia, Europe and Africa.
Survivors include his wife Judith Kingsley of Bluffton; sons Daniel (Jessica) Kingsley of Bozeman, Mont., and Michael Kingsley of Bluffton; brothers Keith (Gretchen) Kingsley of Elkhart, Ind., Karl (Karen) Kingsley of Elkhart, Ind., Mitchell (Ann) Kingsley of Bluffton, Matthew Kingsley of Lone Pine, Calif., and Frederick Kingsley of Wauwatosa, Wisc.; sisters Sue Ellen (Terry Kinzel) Kingsley of Hancock, Mich., and Jane Steinmetz of Bluffton; granddaughters, Faith Kingsley, Makayla Kingsley and Eliza Kingsley; and grandson, Owen Kingsley.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, at First Mennonite Church, Bluffton. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the service. Burial of ashes will take place in a family ceremony.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Swiss Community Historical Society or to the First Mennonite Church College Scholarship Fund.
Condolences may be expressed at chiles-lamanfh.com
