Christopher Thomas Triplett

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

Chris was born on October 11, 1979 to Orville & Marsha (Williamson) Triplett. As a child of a funeral family, some of Chris' fondest & earliest memories were staying with his grandmother, Alma, watching the Three Stooges & 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, & his Uncle "Red".

Chris loved GI Joe since he was a young child & once made a complete diorama down to the fine details. He enjoyed Sherlock Holmes & wrestling. His wrestling idols were Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Bret Hart, & of course, The Undertaker. He had a fond love of Kraft Spaghetti Dinner, Chef Boyardee, & Ketchup. Chris loved animals, especially his black cat, Montague, who survived a house fire & 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 & bass player for the band, Wizard, & later, Excalibur. A born mimic, Chris could belt out classic rock, country, & ballads alike with the same cadence & style as the original singers with his added cocky flair thrown in. Chris began performing at age 14 & music stayed with him his whole life.

Chris & Cynthia (Melton) Triplett welcomed their 1st child, Thomas, in 1999 & young Ferrel appeared on the scene in 2011. During that time, Chris finally cut his hair & "got a real job" welding by night with his dad, Orville, & 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. Meinschein & 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, & 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 & collect four stepchildren while working for a short time in Canada before moving back to Illinois to open Triplett & Neal Funeral Homes in Louisville & Kinmundy, Illinois. After selling in 2020, Chris & 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 & after one 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 & Hunter Funeral Homes, (Triplett & Wood, & 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, & the shock of his passing will be felt for a long time. Those who knew him, really knew him & those who didn't still called him Friend.

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

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

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

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