Christopher Thomas Triplett

Christopher Thomas Triplett, 46, born in Alton, Illinois, on October 11, 1979, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of March 11, 2026. A multigenerational funeral director and embalmer, Chris carried forward a family legacy with deep admiration for his grandfather Tom and his Uncle James “Red” Williamson. Some of his earliest and fondest memories were formed in his grandmother Alma’s care, watching the Three Stooges and listening from the top of the stairs as his uncle worked in the basement below.

Chris possessed a vibrant and eclectic spirit. From childhood he loved GI Joe, creating intricate dioramas, and held lifelong passions for Sherlock Holmes, professional wrestling—especially his idols Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Bret Hart, and The Undertaker—and the simple pleasures of Kraft spaghetti, Chef Boyardee, and ketchup. His black cat Montague, a survivor of a house fire who lived to age twenty, held a special place in his heart. A talented musician, Chris served as lead singer and bass player for the bands Wizard and later Excalibur, beginning performances at age fourteen. A gifted mimic, he could deliver classic rock, country, and ballads with remarkable accuracy and his own distinctive, cocky flair. Music remained a constant joy throughout his life.

Chris and Cynthia (Melton) Triplett welcomed sons Thomas in 1999 and Ferrel in 2011. He later married Sandra (McKinnon) Triplett and gained four stepchildren. After working as an apprentice at Bass-Patton Memorial Home and Meinschein Funeral Home, he managed Hunter Funeral Homes, served as a trade embalmer with Central Illinois Trade Services, and worked at Calvert Memorial Homes before opening his own establishments, including Triplett Funeral Homes, Triplett & Neal Funeral Homes in Louisville and Kinmundy, and later Wilson & Triplett and Triplett & Wood. A member of the British Institute of Embalmers, he formed many meaningful connections in the profession, including a cherished friendship with Jessica Pierce. In 2021, Chris survived a devastating winter accident that left him critically injured, yet through sheer determination he regained his ability to walk after a year in a wheelchair. He retired from the funeral profession in January of 2026.

Chris is survived by his sons, Thomas and Ferrel Triplett; his stepchildren, Tat, James, David (Ananiah), and Ben; his grandfather, Michael Showalter; his father, Orville Triplett, and stepmother, Beth Triplett; his stepfather, Eddie Tucker; his siblings, Jodi (Aric) Lebro, A. Adler, Casey (Les) Chapman, Bailey Triplett, and Andrea Hulsey; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marsha Tucker; his grandparents, Alma and Thomas Williamson, Nancy Showalter, and Eliza and Thomas Triplett; his father-in-law, Carl Goldschieder; his aunt, Sandra Williamson; and his brother-in-law, Joseph Hulsey.