Feb. 3, 1969 – Sept. 21, 2020
Metro Exhibit Corp. owner Brian Everett Phebus, 51, of Naperville, Ill., passed away on Sept. 21. He was born Feb. 3, 1969 in Downers Grove, Ill., to his parents LuAnn (nee Karales) and Richard C. Phebus.
He earned a BS in Marketing & Exposition Management from University of Nevada-Las Vegas in 1991 and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. He received a Certificate in Business Administration at the University of Illinois Chicago in 1997 and joined the family business Metro Exhibit Corp., a one-stop shop for tradeshows, museum installations and custom rental exhibits with locations in Chicago, Las Vegas and Orlando.
When the company expanded and moved to Romeoville in June 2016, one of the first things he did was reach out to Lewis University and its career services department. At the time he said, “We have an aging workforce and I’ve been a firm believer in training the next generation. Lewis University and Joliet Junior College were both extremely responsive. They returned calls and emails and invited me to career fairs. I had a stack of résumés from both of them that were pretty overwhelming. They’ve got some really good students.” He added, ““I just started networking with them to see where our needs may align—where they may have students and where I may need help. Lewis invited me to come see their marketing and business program, and I invited them over here to see what we did and how we may be able to partner.” Metro Exhibit Corporation furthered its partnership by becoming a sponsor of the Sales Excellence Program at Lewis.
On Nov. 6, 1993 he married Brenda Cross and they had three daughters, Brittany, Emily and Amy. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, spending time in the North Woods, but, most of all, spending time with his family.
Mike Faase wrote in his online guest book, “Hey Brenda and the girls, Your husband/father was a great guy to work with and have fun with. Brenda, I cannot tell you how many times I had had a chance to break bread and with you and Brian and all those times will always remain special to me. You two are and will always be a favorite of mine. Christy and I will add prayers to our thoughts about you and Brian.”
Friends Julie and John Rutter/Schulz also wrote, “Our thoughts are with you Brenda and girls. You couldn’t find anyone more devoted to family than Brian. He was a truly wonderful person in every way and he will be sadly missed by so many. Rest In Peace Brian.”
Stephen & Lynne Holder wrote, “Words can not express the loss of a good friend I had in Brian. Rest in Peace m
y dear friend!”
He is survived by his loving wife Brenda; cherished daughters Brittany, Emily and Amy; beloved brother Richard Phebus, Nikki (Patrick) Walsh and Tina (Jim) Mrozek. Funcle B of Ryan, Collin, Kari, Brendan, Shannon, Michael and Grace. He was preceded in death by his father Richard C. Phebus.
The funeral for Brian was held Sept. 26 at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Lisle, Ill.
Memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/lisle-il/brian-phebus-9375057 for the Phebus family. Donations may be made in honor of Brian and his family to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
