Phillip Kiel

Phil Kiel was a life-of-the-party kind of man, so talented, charismatic, and fun-loving, you couldnt help but want to be around him. He was a loving son, brother, fianc and friend to so many, who gave everyone he met a new nickname, just for laughs, but always with love. That was Phil, though, a man with a big personality, and an even bigger heart. Phils story began on a hot summer day in 1980, in the shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were tumultuous times in this country, which was engulfed in a terrible heat wave that summer, another natural disaster following the eruption of Mount St. Helens earlier that year. Yet on September 9, 1980, Harold and Candance (Fuson) Kiel found reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy they named Phillip Donnis Kiel. Little Phil joined his big sisters Mandy and Tracy in the familys home in Muskegon, where his dad worked at Westran Corp. and later owned his own drywall business. Little brother Chad came along a few years later. The family lived in Ruddiman Terrace Apartments when Phil was born, and later moved to Hackley Village Apartments. Phil had a very happy, normal childhood, full of fun and activities. He was a Cub Scout, and spent his summer days playing ball with the many kids in the apartment complexs huge yard. He also played little league baseball, usually at shortstop or first base, and Pee Wee football, too. It was obvious from a young age that Phil was a gifted, natural athlete, and he shined at whatever sport he played. His family did much together, especially traveling to Traverse City and Missouri to visit his many fun-loving relatives. The family has so many fond memories of those trips, and plenty of zany stories, too! Even as a little boy, Phil was always game for anything. His sisters would often dare him to do crazy things, like running outside in his underwear, or dancing around the ice cream shop, and he never disappointed them. Phil attended Glenside Elementary, Bunker Middle School, and eventually Muskegon High School, where he continued his athletic success, and played varsity baseball for the Big Reds all four years. He was a well-liked, popular student, who always looked out for the little guy, always the peacemaker, helping solve everyones problems. Phil was always the one playing with the kids nobody else would, and he even offered his lunch to a man picking bottles out of the school dumpster once, too. That was Phil, though, even then, he had a big personality, and a bigger heart. Phil had compassion for more than just the people around him, though. He loved animals of all kinds, from his pet hamster, Peach Fuzz, to the stray puppy named Princess who adopted him! One day Princess just hopped in his car, nursing an injury. Phil took her to the vet, spent lots of money on her, then took her home to the apartment, where they couldnt have pets. The whole family loved that dog, though, and she was one of the reasons they bought a house nearby. Princess loved Phil most of all, and even slept with him at night. While Phil was in high school, he even worked for Petsmart, along with his job at Plumbs Grocery Store, where he made many friends. Everybody loved Phil, though, and he never lacked for friends. He gave them all funny nicknames, and loved to tease people, too (like sending his bald grandpa an envelope full of hair!). But all his teasing and pranks were always in good fun, and they were never mean-spirited. After he graduated in 1998, he found a job at Herman Miller, doing assembly and also working as a Safety Rep. He worked second shift, which allowed him to take business classes at Baker College, where he made the Deans List, too. He also helped his dad with his drywall business, and frequently helped friends hang drywall, never charging for his time. Of course, Phil was far from all work and no play. He loved to spend time with his parents, who he was very close to. He and his dad enjoyed going to yard sales together, and Phil and his mom had a long-running tradition of going to the Muskegon Art Fair, just the two of them. It was a special time for both of them. Phil loved to hang out with his friends, and was always the life of the party, too. He loved the New Kids on the Block and NSync and could dance all their moves step-for-step! He loved to be the center of attention, though, and would shave his head, dye his hair bleach-blond, or put it in braids, just to shock his friends! He also loved to golf, and always wore these goofy plaid pants, too. Phil also began playing on the West Michigan Flag Football League in 2002, playing often with his brother Chad and his dad. Phil, of course, was awesome. He played quarterback, and was even named the MVP, with plenty of trophies to show for his hard work. And Phil, so famous for his nicknames, was given one of his own: Phil the Thrill. Naturally, he loved that one. While sports always came easy for him, he had to work a little harder to find love. He dated a girl for four years, but the relationship ended after just a month of marriage. Then, in April of 2006, Phil reconnected with a beautiful young woman he knew from high school, Kristi Holland. He actually had a crush on her in the 10th grade, and it didnt take long for those feelings to return. She was going through a divorce and had two little girls, who Phil loved like his own, and Phil always took care of them when they got too big a handful for Kristi! Phil and Kristi fell in love, and were planning to be married on Mackinac Island in September of 2007. So sadly, Phil died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 7, 2007, at the age of 26. Phil was such a wonderful man, so full of character and charisma, a man loved by all who knew him. He was a loving son, brother, fianc and friend, and famous for his funny nicknames. Phil was taken from us too soon, but his life, love and memory are gifts we will cherish forever. He will be greatly missed. Phil is survived by his parents, Harold & Candance Kiel; fiance, Kristi Holland and her daughters, Skye & Hannah George; 2 sisters, Mandy (Aaron) Janetzke, Tracy (Rick Melgoza) Kiel both of Muskegon; brother, Chad Kiel of Muskegon; nieces & nephews, Kaylynn, Tara, Lauren, Bubby grandparents, Phyllis (Larry) Barber of Rapid City, Mada (Lyle) Paugels of Mancelona; grandfather, Harold Kiel, Sr. of Muskegon; great grandmother, Geri Peck of Kalkaska many aunts, uncles, cousins, special friends and his beloved dog Princess. Services are scheduled for Thursday, July 12, 2007, 11:00 AM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with Rev. Karen Biggerstaff officiating. Interment at Excelsior Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Phil, or to sign the online guest book.