<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><br></div>  Many of you out there either met Tom "Iron Butt" Phelan on his cross country journey years ago, or read about his adventure on-line.  I first met Tom on his return from California to New York where he lived before moving to North Carolina back in the late 90's.  I've crewed for many of Tom's races, and that was when I met Rita, his wife.  I can never find the right words, but I will miss her smiling face.<br><br></div>Paul<br></div>Ohio<br><div><div><div><br><div style="" id="stcpDiv">
                
    
    
      
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        <h1><span itemprop="name"><span itemprop="givenName">Marguerite</span> "Rita" <span itemprop="familyName">Phelan</span></span> </h1>
        
        
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                        <span id="ctl00_ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ContentPlaceHolder1_ObitText" class="" itemprop="description" style="font-size:14px">HENDERSONVILLE-Marguerite "Rita" Phelan, 69, of Hendersonville, passed away Sunday, September 13, 2015.<br>She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.<br>She
 is survived by her husband of 45 years, Thomas Phelan; daughters, Teri 
Martinez, Leslie Phelan and Nicole Phelan; son, Thomas Phelan; eight 
grandchildren; and sister, Laura Stallard.<br>A service will be at 
12:00, Saturday, September 19, 2015 in the chapel at Forest Lawn Funeral
 Home with Rev. Shawn O'Neal officiating. Burial will be Monday at 
Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. <br>Please visit <a href="http://www.forestlawnhendersonville.com" target="_blank">www.forestlawnhendersonville.com</a> to sign an online guest book.<br>Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.</span></div></div></div></div></div> - See more at: <a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/blueridgenow/obituary.aspx?pid=175862805#sthash.ZOgZYDdg.dpuf">http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/blueridgenow/obituary.aspx?pid=175862805#sthash.ZOgZYDdg.dpuf</a></div><br></div></div></div></div>