Richard E. "Rick" Kemper

Richard Eugene "Rick" Kemper, 72, of Tilden, IL; born on August 19, 1952 in East St. Louis, IL, the son of Lawrence Donald and Mary W. (née, Berkley) Kemper; passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family.
Rick served in the United States Navy for 21 years until retiring. He worked as a Construction Combat Engineer during his time in the service, traveling extensively to 6 out of the 7 continents in the world: one of those places being Antarctica. Over the years, Rick saw many different things and loved every bit of life, especially the company of his grandkids. He married Lana Baxter on July 9, 1999 and they lived an amazing 25 years together. Rick continued to work at several different places after retiring from the service. He worked for LRB Construction in Breese for years and then went on to work as a project manager in Mascoutah for Martin Steel Fabrication. Rick enjoyed playing pool, but he enjoyed teaching others how to play more than anything.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lana Sue (née, Baxter) Kemper of Tilden, IL; two sons, Jacob Thomas (wife, Megan) Kemper of Orlando, FL and Shaun Michael Smith of High Ridge, MO; one daughter, Shannon Renee (husband, Rich) Inman of Ellis Grove, IL; three grandchildren, Vanessa Rachelle Inman, Garner Thomas Kemper, and Ellie Grace Smith; one great grandchild, Daemon James Westenberger; four sisters, Mary Diane White, Sharron Lee (husband, Larry Dean "Bill") Gass, Linda Carole Spradling, and Robin Michelle Kemper.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Lawrence Kemper, Jack Dennis Kemper, and Garry David Kemper.
Condolences may be left for the family online at www.heilschuessler.com.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice.
The Visitation will be held at Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Tilden on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Dennis Hamilton officiating. Committal Services will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO at 1:30 p.m. with military honors being conducted by the Navy Funeral Honors Detail.
Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Tilden, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.