Philip P. Dunlap

PHILIP P. DUNLAP, 56, Rockford, died at 12:47 a.m. Saturday, August 18, 2007 in OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Born January 9, 1951 in Evanston, son of Charles H. and Helen N. Neiweem Dunlap. Graduated from East High School in 1969 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education and Technology from Western Illinois University in 1976. Married Tami Rucks in Rockford on August 16, 1980. He taught school in the Pontiac School District and the Harlem School District for a few years, then started his career with the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier in 1982. He served in various management positions in the Loves Park and New Towne facilities as well as being the Officer In Charge in Elgin and Schaumburg. He was presently serving as Postmaster in Crystal Lake. He was the recipient of numerous service awards including the prestigious ""Benjamin Franklin Award"" for customer service. Veteran of the U.S. Army and longtime active member of Carlson American Legion Post No.1207; serving as their Commander two different times. Phil had a ""bigger than life"" personality and absolutely loved to serve people. He was honest, fair, a loyal friend and a straight shooter. He loved being surrounded by people and always made sure everybody was well fed. He was a master craftsman when it came to building and carpentry projects, but he always helped others with their projects before his own. Loved to play golf and was a big Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. Phil was a firm believer in education and did much community education on behalf of the Post Office. His family and home were always the most important things to him. He was extremely involved in his childrens activities and always supportive of them and their friends. He helped build leadership skills and self-esteem in his children and those many people in his life. Phil greeted every day with enthusiasm. Survivors include the love of his life and best friend, his wife, Tami; sons Barclay and Clayton Dunlap; daughter, Hanna Dunlap; brother, David Dunlap; sister, Patricia (Richard) Green; father-in-law, Herbert (Lee) Rucks; brothers-in-law, Stuart (Denise) Rucks and Blaine Rucks; sisters-in-law, Mary Dunlap and Debbie Lind as well as several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents; brothers, Thomas and Charles Dunlap, Jr. and mother-in-law, Phyllis Rucks. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 24, 2007 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with Rev. Brian Olsen officiating. Burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service on Friday. Memorials may be made to the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.