John Gustav Sippel

John Sippel Obituary

John Gustav Sippel

1946 - 2024

Salt Lake City, UT-John Gustav Sippel returned to stardust on June 16, 2024.

John began his earthly journey on January 27, 1946, in Nancy, France. A few years later, he and his mother naturalized to the United States to reunite with his father. This small Sippel family settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where three more brothers were added to the fray. John shared many stories from his youth; running wild in the woods with his brothers, and his skills in gymnastics and football. In his last year of high school, the Sippel family relocated to Salt Lake City.

John was happiest outdoors and regularly engaged in adventure. In his young adulthood, John was an avid rock climber, hiker, and outdoorsman, which evolved into spelunking, mining for minerals, and mushroom hunting later in his life. John was a collector of crystals, topaz, and other beautiful mineral specimens which he displayed around his home, in his beautiful gardens, and within his backyard Pando aspen forest.

John was fiercely independent and dedicated to the business he created. He was one of the best wallpaper hangers in the industry. His attention to detail shined, and he was incredibly proud of his work. John retired in 2022.

John was a complicated human with a rough exterior, but when he felt comfortable showing it, he had a surprisingly soft heart (if you know, you know). To know John was to know he loved tasty food and sharing meals with the people he loved; from Sunday dinners with the kids to the annual holiday family celebration at Benihana, the true event was always the time shared.

John is survived by his wife, Karen Fitzgerald, his children, Sean Sippel, Shelley Sippel, Cris Sippel, and Candice (Jeremiah) Bates, his grandchildren, Andrew Sippel, Ashton Sippel-Edwards, Christian Bates, and Savannah Bates, and his brothers, Steve and Jim Sippel. John is finally reunited with his dear grandmother, Anna Spiesz, his brother, Rich Sippel, some of his favorite mining and mineral hunting buddies, and many of his malamute friends.

John's Halloween parties were always decorated with the biggest pumpkins he could find... no joke, these pumpkins were huge! In honor of John's love for all things Halloween, a Celebration of Life will be held in October 2024.

If you would like to donate in his name, John's favorite charities were the Adopt a Native Elder Program, The Humane Society of Utah, and the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab.

Thank you, Dad, for the wonder, curiosity, and zest you had in this lifetime. May your journey to the next one be gentle and may the lessons you learned here guide you.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune, The Salt Lake Tribune from Jul. 8 to Jul. 10, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for John Sippel

3 Entries

Pam Lewis

July 11, 2024

Karen I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers to you my friend
Pam Lewis

Steve Sippel

July 10, 2024

John my oldest brother was born in France. I have so many memories of John.
In 1958, John our mother and brothers Rich and Jim traveled by ocean liner to Nancy France to visit my mother´s parents , our grandpa and grandma. We stayed in France for three months during the summer.
During that time in France the French were celebrating some type of an occasion. I don´t recall the festival but our road in front of grandma and grandpas home was closed off from car or motorcycle traffic. In the road now was placed a boxing ring. Yes a boxing ring. John was twelve years old by then and very muscular. I can´t remember how my brother found himself in the boxing ring but there he was wearing boxing gloves. His opponent was a French boy also about twelve years of age. Soon , around the boxing ring it seems hundreds of French were there watching and also rooting for the French boy to knock out the American boy, my brother. The fight did not last very long as I recall. John knockout that French boy in the first round. My mother and grandparents did not know this boxing fight was going on. They were not too happy about it but were so happy John did not get hurt and won the fight without even a punch landed by his French opponent.
John was very strong. I remember him in our home in Ambridge Pa. doing a hand stand and traversing around the house in that hand stand. It seemed to me that he could have done this forever. Simply amazing.
Brother John will be missed.

Randy Lemon

July 7, 2024

I met John at my booth at the farmers market 8 years ago. He was in search of a pumpkin grower as his previous source for big pumpkins was gone. I let John know that Grammys Fruit and produce has a reputation for lots of big unique pumpkins. Immediately he was interested and wanted to come to my farm 70 miles north in Willard. The first few years he drove an empty truck in mid September to my farm and walk-through the entire patch pointing at the ones he wished to take home immediately. He was like a kid in a candy store. Cost was usually negotiable, but he knew he had diamonds in his hands. Out came the hundred dollar bills and the truck left so overloaded. I didn´t think it would make it back to Salt Lake City. The truck always made it. His enthusiasm made him the only person that was allowed to walk a 5 acre pumpkin patch in pursuit of the biggest diamonds ( pumpkins) available.
I was proud to have him as a friend and a client. He rewarded me with his famous unique and wonderful John chili and invites to the party of which I´m so glad I got to attend.
I will always think of Jon when I see a big, perfect pumpkin, as I would pull out my phone and forward him the pictures.
Rest in peace by friend. You are definitely a one of a kind and you will be at our hearts.

Randy Lemon
Grammys Fruit and produce.

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