Deacon Robert G.H. Lippert, 76, died Aug. 30 at his residence in Beckemeyer.
He worked as the Audio/Visual Coordinator for the Collinsville Unit 10 School District retiring in 1996 after 26 years.
Deacon Lippert, ordained by Bishop Wilton D. Gregory, SLD, on April 19, 1997, ministered from 1997 to 1999 at St. Peter Cathedral, Belleville and St. Clare of Assisi, O’Fallon, as the Director of Beacon. He was assigned Aug. 1, 1999 as a pastoral associate at St. Anthony Church in Beckemeyer and St. Augustine Church in Breese and later as the parish life coordinator at St. Anthony, retiring June 30, 2016.
He earned a bachelor’s in psychology in 1961 from St. Louis University and later a master’s degree in Pastoral Services from Loyola University in New Orleans, La., in May of 2005.
Deacon Lippert was a member of Breese Knights of Columbus Council 2869 and the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Bishop Althoff Assembly. He formerly served as the treasurer of the North Central Vicariate and was involved with the Cathedral Players Guild in Belleville 1954-1999 serving as director for his final 25 years of membership.
Deacon Lippert was preceded in death by his parents Jacob R. and Leona M. Waigand Lippert; a sister, Mary Ann Lippert; his father-in-law and mother-in-law William and Mary Schmittling Remelius.
Surviving is his wife Lucille Remelius Lippert of Beckemeyer, whom he married March 1, 1975 at St. Peter Cathedral; his children, Robert J. (Kathleen) Lippert of O’Fallon, Renee M. (Martin) McColl of Festus, Mo., Mary M. (Jeff) Gundlach of Smithton, James G. (Christy) Vogt of Nashville, and Joseph J. (Deirdra) Vogt of Millstadt; 12 grandchildren, one great-grandson, and was anticipating the birth of his second great-grandchild; a brother, Jacob J. (Anna) Lippert of Washington, Mo; a brother-in-law, Richard (friend Brenda) Remelius of Belleville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Sept. 3 at St. Anthony in Beckemeyer, with Bishop Stanley Schlarman as principal celebrant, Father Charles Tuttle and Father Dennis Voss.
Burial followed at St. Anthony Cemetery in Beckemeyer.
