Gerald and Phyllis Ilsley Scholarship Fund #00664
To provide annual scholarship awards to a graduating senior, returning student or a non-traditional student who demonstrates financial need. Preference will be given to those who are pursuing a course of study in the skilled trades or office professions.
From the fundholder:
This scholarship was established by Michael and Linda (Ilsley) McComb to memorialize Linda’s parents. Jerry was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, and was one for six boys. He spent his childhood in Alpena, Michigan followed by three years in the Navy. After returning from service, he married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Christiansen. Jerry soon realized he could provide a more secure future for his young family by making a change and moving from Alpena to Midland in 1956. He was a machinist for Dow Chemical for 30 years. Phyllis Christiansen was born in Alpena and was the middle of five children. She met Jerry in junior high school and they double dated in high school. They married in 1953 in Alpena and later in their marriage, living in Midland, after their children were in junior high school, Phyllis worked in the office at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Upon completion of their careers, they retired to Port Charlotte, Florida and Aiken, South Carolina. Both Jerry & Phyllis worked very hard to provide for their family, welcomed many visitors into their home, and were loving parents to Linda and her brother, Tom.
We sincerely hope this scholarship fund can allow deserving Midland area students the opportunity to obtain an education in the fields in which Jerry and Phyllis worked, with the hope that they can in the future provide a loving family relationship that will allow their offspring to achieve what we have been able to achieve in our lives. We wish you the best of luck in achieving your dreams, much as our parents achieved theirs.