Keith Pepple

Gerald Keith Pepple, 90

On the morning of March 15, 2026, Gerald Keith Pepple, always known as Keith, fell asleep in death at his home in Portland, Indiana. Keith was 90 years old.

Keith Pepple was born on October 28, 1935 to Ralph William Pepple and Juanita Delight (Crump) Pepple in Bridgeport, Illinois. He was the third of their three sons.

Keith was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on April 14, 1943. After graduating in 1953 from Bridgeport High School (Illinois), he became a full-time minister, sharing the good news of God's kingdom in Illinois and Indiana. Keith and his brothers, George and Ralph, along with other ministry partners, helped to establish congregations in their preaching assignments.

In his young adulthood he supported himself in his full time ministry by working in landscaping, in the shoe department of a department store and even welding and painting metal caskets in a casket factory.

Keith married Shirley Ann Culp in 1960. They had a daughter, Monique in 1966 in Portland Indiana. They were known for helping care for older ones in their congregation. They also enjoyed working together in the ministry and at conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses. Keith and Shirley were married for 14 years.

Keith provided for his family in various occupations including working for Westinghouse in Muncie and as a meat cutter in grocery stores in Portland.

Keith married Patricia Bryant Chastain on May 5, 1980. Keith and Patsy enjoyed the home they built just outside of Portland. They were especially happy when they worked outside, Patsy in her iris garden and Keith keeping the lawn and landscape beautifully manicured. They enjoyed their ministry, teaching people in the community about a time when everyone could live on a paradise earth. They enjoyed traveling, especially their trips to see family in Ohio, Georgia and Mississippi.

Keith retired from Meshburger Bros Stone Corp in 2000. Keith also owned Lil Rock Enterprises, a commercial cleaning business. Through the years, Keith had contracts with at least 40 businesses in Portland and the surrounding area.

Keith was well known in the community, partly because of his business connections but most significantly because he was always friendly and kind to others. His sincerity was his trademark and it is not an exaggeration to say he never met a stranger.

He was interested in people, so if they shared something about themselves, he would always try to find common ground in his own life experience. One of his hobbies was trading knives, and when he went to an event, it was as much about meeting people as it was adding to his extensive collection.

Being one of Jehovah's Witnesses was not just Keith's religious affiliation, he lived what he preached. He treated everyone in his congregation like family. They could call on him for practical or spiritual aid and he would do his best to help.

Keith will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. When Keith and Patsy married, they blended their families into one. Their children, Monique (and her husband Eric), and Mike (and his wife Brenda) and one granddaughter, Jennifer, are grateful for the gift of Keith's life. He leaves them an example of faith and devotion to the Creator and to each other.

Keith was proceeded in death by his parents, his brothers, George (Frances) Pepple and Ralph Ray (Loraine) Pepple, his daughter's mother, Shirley Pepple, and his mother-in-law, Ethel Bryant.

Keith is survived by his wife Patricia Ruth Pepple, his children Monique (Eric) Simonson, Michael (Brenda) Chastain, granddaughter Jennifer Chastain, niece Serena (Terry) Slusser and nephew Greg (Shari) Pepple, great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 4405 N Walnut St, Muncie, Indiana on April 4, 2026 at 1 p.m. Visitation from noon- 1 p.m.

Online condolences may be sent to his family at www.keplingerfuneralhome.com or leave a message on our Keplinger Funeral Home Facebook page.

Memorials may be made to Kingdom Hall, 4405 N. Walnut St., Hartford City, IN 47348