Phillip C. Gallagher

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 7^th 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 25^th 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 12^th, 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.