Dr. Phillip Dean Boren M.D. of Carmi
Dr. Phillip Dean Boren M.D., 82, passed away peacefully at Wabash Christian Village in Carmi, on Monday, May 7, 2018.
He was born in Energy on March 15, 1936 to Robert and Juanita (Flener) Boren. His father, Robert, was killed in a Herrin Powder Plant explosion when he was just 6 years old. His mother, Juanita, later married the Rev. J.D. McCarty, both are now deceased.
Dr. Boren graduated from high school in Murphysboro. Then, he attended Southern Illinois University, and after only three years at SIU, he entered the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago.
Dr. Boren served his internship at Resurrection Hospital in Park Ridge. He then completed his residency program in family medicine at the Berwyn Memorial Hospital in Berwyn.
In 1963, Dr. Boren moved to Carmi, where he greatly enjoyed practicing medicine as a family physician for 54 years. In 1966, during the Vietnam War, Dr. Boren was drafted into the U.S. Navy. He served 18 months as the trainer/director of all naval doctors stationed at Treasure Island, California, a suburb of San Francisco.
In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Boren thoroughly enjoyed his involvement with the Illinois State Medical Society in Chicago, serving for many years as the chairman of the board. He also served as the first medical director of the Illinois State Medical Insurance Exchange.
Dr. Boren's work in Chicago led to his interest in flying. He became a licensed private pilot and was thrilled to fly himself to and from Chicago to fulfill his obligations at the Illinois State Medical Society. He would do this on Wednesdays, his "day off" from his medical practice.
Along with Dr. Boren's passion for practicing medicine, serving time at the Illinois State Medical Society and flying planes, he immensely enjoyed taking post graduate courses at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, singing, golfing, gardening, traveling and reading.
Dr. Boren is survived by his wife, Sharon (Lee) Boren; two daughters with wife Elaine Whiteside Boren, Lisa (David B.) DeMaster, Kingwood, Texas, and Linda (David A.) Given, Carmel, Indiana; three grandchildren, Chase (Holly) DeMaster, Adam Given and Rachel Given; brother, Bill Joe (Willene) McCarty; and two aunts, Gladys Oman and Virginia Leach.
A memorial service will be held at White County Memorial Garden at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 2401 West Main St., Marion, 62959. These will be accepted at Campbell Funeral Home in Carmi, which is in charge of arrangements.