Philip William Bardell

Philip “Phil” William Bardell, Sr., was born in Freeport, Illinois, on April 14th, 1928, to Philip J. Bardell and Bertha (Isabelle LaMar) Bardell. He passed away at home on January 3rd, 2026, surrounded by family. His wishes to donate his earthly body to science will be honored.

He had fond memories of attending Eder School, a one room school in Stephenson County, followed by Freeport High School and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He earned a bachelor's degree in Geology in 1950, part of a lifelong interest in rocks, minerals, geology, and fossil hunting.

After college, Phil took a motorcycle expedition throughout Europe. He served in the United States Navy from 1950-1954, during the Korean Conflict, as a weather specialist on the attack transport USS George Clymer. The vivid memories he shared from his Navy years continue to inspire his children's curiosity to explore the world.

After returning he worked for the following seven decades as a cattle and crop farmer, factory worker, vegetable producer and passionate gardener. He was a beloved mainstay at farmer's markets in Freeport, Rockford and Monroe. Phil was also actively engaged in conservation, forestry, and timber management on the family farm.

He served in a variety of community roles including as Director of the Freeport Area Church Cooperative (FACC) food pantry, member of Freeport Noon Rotary, Christian Education Director at Second Presbyterian Church, a member of the Northwestern Illinois Reading Council, and several other community groups. He was raised at First Presbyterian, later was an active member of Second Presbyterian, and was finally a member of Faith United Methodist churches in Freeport.

Phil was a voracious reader and a lifelong music enthusiast. He loved jazz recordings and live music by favorites including Cheap Trick, Three Dog Night, Maynard Ferguson, the Willow Folk Festival, The Jimmy's, and many more.

Despite slowing down in his later years physically, those who knew Phil enjoyed conversation with him and his unique (and often humorous) insights and stories about the world and communities he'd spent his life exploring. Phil had an innate curiosity and loved to stay tuned in to the communities around him. He passed these qualities on, and they endure through his family and friends. Phil had a unique gift for listening and connecting to the people with whom he met and engaged.

He is predeceased by his parents and one son, William Robison “Bill” Bardell. He is survived by his wife Patricia Leininger, former wife Kay Williams, and 6 children: Terrence (Pat) Bardell, Philip W. Bardell, Jr., Karen Jackson (Bill August), Trale (Margaret) Bardell, Miles (Janet) Bardell, and Marli (Nick) Malkewicz. Grandchildren: Tami and Teri, children of Bill and Sherry; Kristopher and Cassandra, children of Terrence; Dany child of Karen; August, Arisaema, and John, children of Trale and Margaret; Bridget, Mary, and Talia, children of Miles and Janet; Arthur, Arrow, Axel and Ava, children of Marli and Nick; and 6 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Phil will be held at Faith United Methodist Church in Freeport on Saturday January 24th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service, and a luncheon at the church will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be given to Freeport Area Church Cooperative (FACC) in Freeport: https://www.facc-freeport.org/donate