Christopher Thomas Triplett

****We are NOT handling the services for Chris, just posting his obituary to our website.***** 

Christopher Thomas Triplett, 46, born in Alton, IL passed away unexpectedly on the morning of March 11, 2026. Chris was a multigenerational funeral director and embalmer.

Chris was born on October 11, 1979, to Orville and Marsha (Williamson) Triplett. As a child of a funeral family, some of Chris' fondest and earliest memories were staying with his grandmother, Alma watching the Three Stooges and sitting at the top of the stairs while his Uncle James (Red) embalmed down in the basement. He dreamed of carrying on the family business out of admiration for his Grandfather Tom and his Uncle James. “Red”

Chris loved GI Joe since he was a young child and once made a complete diorama down to the fine details. He enjoyed Sherlock Holmes and wrestling. His wrestling idols were Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Bret Hart and of course, The Undertaker. He had a fond love of Kraft Spaghetti Dinner, Chef Boyardee and Ketchup. Chris loved animals, especially his black cat, Montague, who survived a house fire and still lived to be 20 years old. Only Montague had more lives than Chris. At the end of the day, there is nothing that tickled his funny bone more than his beloved Three Stooges.

A talented musician, Chris, was the lead singer and bass player for the band, Wizard, and later Excalibur. A born mimic, Chris could belt out classic rock, country, and ballads alike with the same cadence and style as the original singers with his added cocky flair thrown in. Chris began performing at age 14 and music stayed with him his whole life.

Chris and Cynthia (Melton) Triplett welcomed their 1st child, Thomas, in 1999 and young Ferrel appeared on the scene in 2011. During that time, Chris finally cut his hair and "got a real job" welding by night with his dad, Orville, and studying Mortuary Science by day. Chris started his career working as an apprentice for Pete Patton at Bass-Patton Memorial Home & Meinschein Funeral Home. Chris had a great friendship with Ferrel J. Meinschien and named his youngest son Ferrel in his honor. Later, he managed Hunter Funeral Homes and went on from there to become one of the first trade embalmers for Central Illinois Trade Services. He was later hired on at Calvert Memorial Homes, and finally, he became his own boss of Triplett Funeral Homes. Chris was also a member of the British Institute of Embalmers.

Chris would later marry Sandra (McKinnon) Triplett and collect 4 stepchildren while working for a short time in Canada before moving back to Illinois to open Triplett & Neal Funeral Homes in Louisville and Kinmundy, Illinois. After selling in 2020, Chris and Sandra bought Wilson & Triplett Funeral Home. In February of 2021, during a transfer in a winter whiteout, Chris was gravely injured in a horrible accident that left him critically injured. Chris made a miraculous recovery and after 1 year in a wheelchair, he regained his ability to walk through sheer stubborn determination. He later worked part-time.

In 2022, he purchased the Wood and Hunter Funeral Homes, (Triplett & Wood, and Triplett Funeral Homes), before retiring completely in January of 2026 to transition to another less taxing career. During Chris's tenure at the Illinois branches, he made a very special friendship with Jessica Pierce who continues to hold a very special place in her heart for him.

Passing just 45 days after his mother's death, Chris lived a short but full life, and the shock of his passing will be felt for a long time. Those who knew him, really knew him and those who didn't still called him Friend.

Chris is survived by his sons, Thomas and Ferrel Triplett and his step-children Tat, James, David (Ananiah) and Ben, grandfather, Michael Showalter, parents, Orville and Beth Triplett, stepfather Eddie Tucker, siblings, Jodi (Aric) Lebro A. Adler, Casey (Les) Chapman, Bailey Triplett and Andrea Hulsey, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and extended family and friends too numerous to count.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alma and Thomas Williamson, grandmother, Nancy Showalter, grandparents, Eliza and Thomas Triplett, mother, Marsha Tucker, father-in-law, Carl Goldschieder, aunt, Sandra Williamson, and brother-in-law Joseph Hulsey.

A graveside service for Chris will be held at 3:00pm on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Memorial Park Cemetery, in Staunton Illinois, Pastor Rick Addison will officiate.

Memorials to Chris' sons, Thomas Triplett and especially his youngest, Ferrel, may be made in care of Cynthia Triplett.