Earl J. "E.J." Keipp

July 18, 1945 - January 11, 2019

Mr. Earl J. “E.J.” Keipp, age 73 years, a resident of the New Columbia community passed away Friday morning, January 11, 2019, at 8:43 AM at the Fairfield Memorial Hospital. E.J. was born July 18, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the son of Earl T. and Vivian M. (Stubblefield) Keipp. In 1966, E.J. was united in marriage to Sandra Castleman in Hazelwood, Missouri. She preceded him in death on September 30, 2007. E.J. is survived by: his daughter – Deborah (Randy) Fisher of Ellery; 3 grandsons – Austin (Kelsey) Barrett, Tyler (Courtney) Barrett, and Zack (Annie) Keipp; 4 great grandchildren – Kara, Steven, Emmy Jo, and Maizy; as well as 2 sisters – Patsy Lauer and Shirley Jenkins both of St. Peters, Missouri. In addition to his parents and wife, E.J. was preceded in death by: a son – E.J. Keipp and a granddaughter – Ashley Keipp. E.J. served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He enlisted in 1966 and served honorably until his discharge in 1968. E.J. attended the Florissant Valley Community College. He was employed in the ticketing and customer service divisions of Delta Airlines for 11 ½ years. In 1979, the family moved to Southern Illinois. E.J. worked at the Vienna Correctional Center as a property control agent. Later, he was employed by Dippin’ Dots, Inc. in the shipping department until his retirement in December 2014. E.J. enjoyed trout fishing. He was member of New Hope Baptist Church at New Columbia. A service honoring the life of Earl J. “E.J.” Keipp will be conducted Monday afternoon, January 14, 2019, at 1 PM at the New Hope Baptist Church, 6804 New Columbia Road, Belknap, Illinois 62908. Pastor Frank Forthman will officiate. Burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery. Military graveside honors will be accorded by the Beggs-Gurley VFW Post # 5222 and the Illinois National Guard Burial Honors Detail. Visitation will be held from 11 AM – 1 PM Monday at New Hope Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to the New Hope Cemetery, c/o Bobby Travis, 5734 Black Hill Road, Belknap, Illinois 62908.