Phillip C. Gallagher
July 17, 1931 ~ February 3, 2024
Phillip Charles Gallagher was born on July 17, 1931, in Boggstown, Sugar Creek Township, Shelby County, Indiana. He passed away on February 3, 2024, at the age of 92 at Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the 7th child of Raymond A. Gallagher and Nellie B. (Pittman) Gallagher. They preceded him in death.
Phillip attended school for 9 years in Boggstown, Indiana and then 3 years in Waldron, Indiana where he graduated from Waldron High School in 1949. He grew up helping his family on their dairy farm. They grew corn, soybeans and milked 17 head of dairy cows. After graduating high school, he worked several different jobs in and around Shelbyville until he joined the army in 1952. He did his basic training in Hawaii and then was shipped to Korea where he worked his way up to become a Sergeant in the 25th Infantry Division in Korea.
In 1954 upon returning from the Korean War, he decided farming wasn’t for him and he began working for the New York Central Railroad. He became a train dispatcher. In 1968, the New York Central Railroad merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad and became the Penn Central Railroad. In 1975, the railroad became Conrail. He retired from the railroad in July of 1984.
On April 3, 1956, Phillip married Betty Jean Haught. They remained married until her death on October 27, 2021.
Phillip and Betty enjoyed traveling to Florida, especially during the winter months after they retired. They enjoyed going to the Indy 500 every year to watch the race. After Betty’s passing Phillip enjoyed watching NASCAR racing and football. His favorite team is the Kansas City Chiefs so his family will be cheering them on for Super Bowl Sunday in his honor this year. Phillip enjoyed playing Euchre with his friends and nephew at St. Roch’s Catholic School every month. He also enjoyed attending railroad breakfast, luncheons and dinner meetings with his railroad buddies and NARVE members. His favorite places to eat were MCL and Grays Cafeteria.
He is survived by his two children, Debra (Paul) Smith and Michael Gallagher. He is also survived by his five grandchildren; Aleisha (David) Smith, Benjamin Pittman, Brian (Erika) Gallagher, Bonnie (Delver) Sotomayor and Bradley (Caitlyn) Gallagher. He is survived by 14 great grandchildren; Makayla, Hailey, Brenden, Logan, Madeline, Jake, Noah, Madison, Izabella, Hattie, Zayden, Alistair, Oliver and Clive. He is also survived by two great-great granddaughters; Aaliyah and Everly. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his siblings; Lawrence Gallagher, Marian Hasse (Pete), Paul Gallagher, Marjorie West Roy (Robert West), Rosemary Compton (Gene), Patricia Crafton Leffler (Junior Crafton).
Phillip's Life Celebration® Visitation will be held at O’Riley Branson Funeral Service and Crematory at 6107 South East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana on Monday, February 12th, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Funeral Service will begin at noon with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens at 1977 South St. Road 135, Greenwood, Indiana.
Visit www.OrileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory Phillip or to sign the online guest registry.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Rest in peace, Phil! Your sister, Marian Hasse was the heart and soul of St. Roch Parish and School for years! I am sure she will be very happy to see you in heaven! Peace be with your family and friends who mourn you.
Peace and Comfort to all the Gallagher families
The Buttz Family (neighbor) has purchased Beautiful in Blue for Phillip Gallagher
Jeff and Kelli Vaught has purchased Treasured Memories Floor Basket – Blue for Phillip Gallagher
I worked with Phil many years,when I became a train dispatcher he had already retired,he was a great guy we became good friends we went to many railroad dances when they had those,and many railroad lunches like I said he was a great guy and one of the best train dispatches ever he will be missed.
I grew up near Boggstown, and remember Phillip very well. We were on the same school bus. He was one year ahead of me, so I usually bought the used school books from him or his sister. We had to buy our own books back then. He always had jokes to tell, and made everyone laugh.
Angela and Jimmy Newman has purchased Blossoming Heart for Phillip Gallagher
Brian, Bonnie, & Bradley has purchased Ocean Essence Spray for Phillip Gallagher
The Smith Family has purchased Peace Lily for Phillip Gallagher
Love, Linda & Leslie has purchased Purple Majesty for Phillip Gallagher
Love, Eric & Autumn Handy has purchased Beautiful in Blue for Phillip Gallagher
Phillip is one of the most caring neighbors! He’s so understanding and loving to our family, especially my brothers. They play soccer outside a-lot and the ball would get to his yard many time, but he didn’t care. He even encouraged them! He would make them cut his grass in the summer and give them allowance, even when we insisted not to. He would teach them and tell them about best ways to mow the lawn and take care of the machine. We learn a lot from him and will miss seeing him feed the birds! Although all the love and gratitude can’t be shared/expressed more due to language barrier, we see and treat him like “paham” (which means grandpa in our language).
Paham, you will be miss dearly.
With love,
Demerry (on behaved of the Thein family)