Philip DeRosier, 76, of 117 E. Michigan Ave., Ironwood, died unexpectedly Sunday evening, April 5, 2009, in his home. He was born June 20, 1932, in Ironwood, son of the late Philip and Adeline (Kopecko) DeRosier, attended St. Ambrose Grade School and graduated from St. Ambrose High School in 1950. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Dec. 27, 1950, serving stateside during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged as an airman second class on Oct. 22, 1953. Following his discharge, Phil worked for the Michigan Conservation Dept. for one year, and was employed as a repairman for Michigan Bell Telephone Co. for many years, retiring from Wisconsin Bell Telephone Co. in 1994. Phil was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, Ironwood American Legion Post 5, Michigan Bell Telephone Pioneers and the Air Force Gunner's Association. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and making wood at his camp in North Ironwood. He was married to the former Kathleen M. O'Leary on July 10, 1954, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Ironwood, by the late Rev. Conrad Dishaw. Kathleen preceded Phil in death on Aug. 13, 2008. Surviving are two sons, Robert (Roberta), Coon Rapids, Minn., and Thomas (Monika), Yorktown, Va.; two daughters, Suzanne (Jerry) Nezworski, and Kathleen A. DeRosier, both of Ironwood; five grandchildren, Brad (Robin) Nezworski, and Nicole Nezworski, both of Ironwood, Casey DeRosier, Coon Rapids, Rebecca DeRosier, Yorktown, and Christopher DeRosier, Seaford, Va.; three great-grandchildren, Austin, Ty and Haley Nezworski; brothers-in-law, Philip "Jack" O'Leary, Las Vegas, Nev., and James (Mildred) O'Leary, Cornucopia, Wis.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents and wife, Phil was preceded in death by a grandson, Jeremy Nezworski. Out of respect for Phil's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, April 13, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, with the Rev. Michael Jacobus, celebrant. Rite of Committal will take place in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church, where full military rites will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard. Luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Private inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, in the spring. Relatives and friends may call in the St. Joseph Family Room at the church beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Our Lady of Peace Adopt-A-Student Program. To view Phil's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood