Col Philip G. "Phil" Dunn

Obituary for Philip G. Dunn


COL Philip G. Dunn, USAF (Retired), 91, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed peacefully from this life to heaven on Monday, January 23, 2023.


Born September 1, 1931 in Knox County, Indiana, Philip was the son of Rev. Floyd B. and Eulalia (Glenn) Dunn. He grew up in Tipton and Frankfort, IN where Rev. Dunn was a pastor. Philip spent many summer days with his brothers on their grandfather Glenn’s farm near Vincennes, IN. He met Marjorie Jewel Carter in Bloomington, IN in 1950 while he was an undergraduate student in the School of Music at Indiana University. They were married one year later and celebrated 68 wedding anniversaries. Philip’s wife Marjorie, preceded him in death on December 19, 2019. Philip is also preceded in death by one brother, Rev. John A. Dunn. Philip is survived by two brothers, Paul Dunn and Samuel Dunn; three sons and their wives: Dr. Stephen P. and Karen Dunn, Mark and Susan Dunn, COL Timothy G. Dunn, US Army (Retired) and Sandy Dunn; ten grandchildren: Mark, Matthew and Charles Dunn; Kelly (Dunn) Holzer, Katie (Dunn) St. Henry and Lauren Dunn; Jonathan Blalock, Katie (Blalock) Tuttle, Sarah (Blalock) Egger and Hannah Dunn; and many great grandchildren.


Philip had parallel careers in music education and the military that ran from the early 1950’s until the early 1990’s. After graduation from Indiana University in 1954 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree and during which he was in ROTC, Philip was commissioned as Second Lieutenant but his active duty was delayed one year. He taught one year of high school music in Forest, Indiana. After that year Philip went on active duty in the Air Force for two years. Returning to music education, Philip relocated the family to Valparaiso, IN in 1957 where he taught vocal music at Valparaiso High School until 1962.


In 1962 Philip and Marjorie moved to the east side of Indianapolis, IN. Philip brought many new ideas and performances to his position as vocal music teacher at Warren Central High School. As the director for Warren Central's choirs – the Chantelles, Warrenaires, Trebletones, Windsors, and Madrigals, he brought music and joy to the lives of thousands of students from 1962 to 1991. In cooperation with the theater department, he directed over 20 musicals including “The Sound of Music” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”


During those early years in Indianapolis Philip found the time to complete his Master of Music degree at Indiana University in 1965.


From 1966 to 1972 Philip was Music Director and Conductor of the Indianapolis Männerchor, the men’s choir affiliated with the Athenaeum Foundation of Indianapolis.


For many years Philip was Minister of Music at several churches in Indianapolis, including First Church of the Nazarene, Faith Church and Franklin Road Baptist Church.


As Chairman of the Warren Central High School Music Department from 1971 to 1991, he was the driving force behind the funding and construction of the Warren Performing Arts Center in 1983. This facility created a great legacy of the performing arts on the east side of Indianapolis.


Many from the WCHS community will remember the stirring rendition his combined choirs performed at the end of major concerts of Wilhousky's version of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." which reflected his deep and abiding respect for God and country.


During those years Philip served continually in the Air Force Reserve. He often did temporary duty in the Pentagon during summer tours. He did a sabbatical year from teaching in 1979 to attend the Air War College in Montgomery, AL, from which he graduated in 1980. Philip retired from the Air Force in 1984 with 30 years and 30 days of service.


After retirement Philip stayed active as Treasurer of the American Choral Director’s Association, Central Division, from 1994 to 2004. He was named ACDA Central Division Music Educator of the Year in 2000.


In 2016 Philip and Marjorie relocated to Hartland, Wisconsin to be closer to family who could assist with their care. Marjorie passed away in Hartland.


Philip moved to assisted living in Hartland in January 2020 two months before the Covid Pandemic shut down visits. He lived well in assisted living and never contracted Covid. Philip passed quietly in his sleep early Monday morning, January 23, 2023.


The funeral for Philip G. Dunn will be held at Winkelpleck and Brock Funeral Home in Brownstown, IN on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Visitation is from 12-2pm, funeral service starts at 2pm. Procession to Fairview Cemetery immediately following.


In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Air Force Aid Society https://portal.afas.org/donate/ or to the Salvation Army www.salvationarmyusa.org


All services have been entrusted to the caring staff of Winklepleck & Brock Funeral Home, Brownstown, Indiana.