Phillip "Guy" Duane Laughlin

Phillip "Guy" D. Laughlin, 77, of Pennock, died Thursday, June 25th at St. Cloud Hospital.  His memorial service will be 2:00 pm, Tuesday, June 30th at Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be in Clover Leaf Cemetery.  www.hafh.org

Guy was born May 19, 1949, in Benson, the son of Austin and Eva (Cronen) Laughlin.  He grew up in Kerkhoven and graduated from Kerkhoven - Sunburg High School in 1967; then attended Willmar Vo-Tech, for a year, taking courses in the auto mechanics program.

After college he went to work for a couple of years for Oman Supply then Art’s Gas Station & Mechanic Supply.

On February 4, 1969, he was united in marriage to Joyce Myhre in Willmar, and made their home there for a couple of years.

He joined the Army Reserves and went to basic training in 1970 and remained active for six years.

After basic, Guy and Joyce moved to Pennock, where they have remained. In the early years he was busy delivering bulk gas & diesel for John Butler, and went on to work at Pennock Oil with his wife. Then in 1984, Phil & Joyce owned and operated Phil’s Corner Convenience Store for 24 years, before retiring.

Guy couldn’t stay retired though, he drove garbage truck in Benson for Mattheisen and most recently enjoyed stocking shelves part-time at Menards until 2024. Throughout his life, he had a deep passion for farming, which he did part-time from 20 years old until a few years ago. Tractor rides with friends, family and the County Line Tractor Club, countless hours tinkering and restoring old tractors and plows, took the place of farming, but his new hobbies brought him great satisfaction.

Guy was very involved with the community and City of Pennock; He was a firefighter and first responder for the volunteer department for 21 years, he was a Charter Member of the Pennock Lions, and a Melvin Jones award winner 2007 – 2008; Charter Member of the County Line Tractor Club; Served on the Mamre Township Board for 23 years; and the Mayor of Pennock.

He adored his granddaughters and made every effort to attend their school events and activities. His great-grandchildren brought him immense joy, and he could often be found sitting on the floor playing with them.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Joyce; son, Chad (Julie) Laughlin of Pennock; four grandchildren, Mackenzie (Austen) Bowman, Megan (Wyatt Schmidt) Laughlin, David (Lacey) Ellingson, Cody Thompson; five great grandchildren, Averie, Archie, August Bowman, Madisen and Chase Ellingson. Also surviving are his siblings, Sharon (Keith) Harms of Clara City, Connie (Joel) Lee of DeGraff, Kenny (Margaret) Laughlin of Murdock, and Tony (Kathi) Laughlin of Kerkhoven, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Eva and Austin Laughlin, mother and father-in-law, Cora and Floyd Myhre, and sister-in-law, Jane Bedel.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Phillip "Guy" Duane Laughlin, please visit our floral store.