Panther, Phillip J.

Phillip J. Panther, 44, formerly of Iowa City, died Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010, in Hinsdale, Ill., from a sudden cardiac arrhythmia. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 15, at the Newman Catholic Student Center, with the Rev. Ed Fitzpatrick officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m.

Phillip was born Oct. 19, 1966, in Iowa City, the son of Bob and Sherrie (Nolan) Panther. He attended public grade schools in Milwaukee and Iowa City, and was a 1985 graduate of Regina High School. Phillip attended UNI and graduated in 1990 from the University of Iowa, with a degree in mathematical science.

Phillip lived in Phoenix for 10 years where he was employed by Scottsdale and Farmers insurance companies. He then moved to Hollywood, Calif., where he was an actuary for Farmers. In 2002, Phillip moved to Chicago, where he was employed for CNA Insurance, working for nearly three years in its London office. Phillip was employed in downtown Chicago with Fireman's Fund Insurance Co.

On June 13, 2004, Phillip married Jill Breuer in Chicago. Immediately following their wedding, Phillip and Jill moved to London. Even being far from the states, Phillip made it a point to call his Mom and Dad and friends on a daily basis, and provided a warm welcome to everyone who came to visit. When they returned from London, they were blessed with Gabriella Rose (2-23-2007) and Alexis Tatum (9-25-2008). They family moved from downtown Chicago to Hinsdale one year ago.

Phillip loved adventure and had an incredible love for life. He loved travel, scuba diving and being with family and friends. Above all, Phillip loved his girls, Jill, Gabby and Lexi. His family is a beautiful testament to the love that Phillip shared so openly with everyone who was blessed to know him in his life. The love shared by Phil and Jill will live on and grow in his precious little girls.

Phillip is survived by his loving wife and daughters; his parents, Bob and Sherrie Panther of Iowa City; his brother, Paul (Amy) Panther, and sister, Devon (Kevin) Light, both of Phoenix; his in-laws, Gary and Phyllis Breuer of Waukesha, Wis.; brother-in-law, Corey (Heather) Breuer of Seattle, Wash.; sister-in-law, Gina Breuer of Chicago; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Phillip was preceded in death by his grandparents, Adrian and Margaret Panther and Paul and Una Nolan.

In lieu of flowers, the Phillip Panther Family College Savings account has been established for Phillip and Jill's daughters. Memorials may be sent to John O'Connor, 16 Auburn East Lane, Coralville, IA 52241, any US Bank location or to the funeral home.

Online condolences, memories and memorial donation information may be found at