Rev. Dr. Paul D. Schippel, age 90, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 4:29 A.M. on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois. Rev. Dr. Schippel was a member of Friedens United Church of Christ in Irvington, Illinois, where he served on the council and volunteered at the food pantry. He was a veteran of the United States Army, proudly serving his country during the Korean Conflict. He was past president of the Child Care Association of Illinois. He was also past president and served on the Council of Health and Human Service Ministries. He was active in several positions of Illinois South Conference of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Dr. Schippel was a supporter and volunteer in local events in Centralia, Illinois. He was a bell ringer at Schnucks for the Salvation Army. He attended the annual cancer drives at Fairview Park. He was an avid blood donor for the American Red Cross. Rev. Dr. Schippel enjoyed canoeing, reading and photography. He loved to travel, visiting every state in the United States of America, and visiting most countries throughout the world. He and his loving wife, Debby, enjoyed exercising together at the Centralia Rec Center. He truly liked to socialize and share his stories. Rev. Dr. Schippel was a supporter of the fine arts, as he had season tickets to the Saint Louis Symphony and Saint Louis Botanical Garden. He also supported his local fine arts in Centralia, by attending programs at the Centralia Cultural Society and Kaskaskia College. Rev. Dr. Schippel retired in 1998 as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hoyleton Children’s Home in Hoyleton, Illinois, after 20 years of service. Earlier in his life, he was also a minister in the United Church of Christ throughout Wisconsin. Rev. Dr. Schippel attended University of Illinois and graduated from Elmhurst College. He received his Master’s and Doctorate degrees from Eden Seminary. He has lived in Centralia, Illinois, since 1978 and previously lived in Wisconsin.
A Celebration of Life Service for Rev. Dr. Paul D. Schippel will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 27, 2021, at Friedens United Church of Christ in Irvington, Illinois, with Pastor Stacy Tate and Associate Pastor Tarrah Vauple officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by Centralia American Legion Post 446 and Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 2055. Inurnment will follow in Friedens United Church of Christ Cemetery in Irvington, Illinois. Friends may visit with Rev. Dr. Schippel’s family from 12:00 p.m. until the time of his service at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 27, 2021, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rev. Dr. Schippel’s honor to the Hoyleton Children’s Home in Hoyleton, Illinois or Friedens United Church of Christ in Irvington, Illinois, and may be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois. The family asks those who are attending to please be mindful of social distancing, wear a mask, and take any health precautions necessary to ensure a healthy environment. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, or share memories with Rev. Dr. Schippel’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net.
He married Debby Neal Ford on August 23, 2008, at Saint Peter United Church of Christ in Centralia, Illinois, and she survives him in Centralia, Illinois. In addition to his loving wife of 12 years, Rev. Dr. Schippel is survived by his sons, Mark Schippel and wife Irina of Columbus, Georgia, and Timothy Schippel and wife Chanda of Iuka, Illinois; daughters, Suzanne Tockey of Springfield, Illinois, and Dawn Honecker and husband Michael of Centralia, Illinois, grandchildren, Tyler Schippel and wife Jessica, Brandon Schippel, Payton Schippel and wife Maria, Malachi Tockey, Silas Tockey, Michael Honecker, Nichole Broadhurst, and Kristina Honecker; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Carol Brehm of Elmhurst, Illinois.
He was born on April 29, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Henry Paul and Evelyn (Anderson) Schippel. Rev. Dr. Schippel was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Schippel and Evelyn Schippel, and son-in-law, Reverend Laurie Tockey.
