John E. Stipp, Ii

John E. Stipp, II, 50, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 4:24 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2024 in the emergency room at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg, after courageously entering their burning home to save his daughter, Kaiiree.

John was born July 15, 1974 in Galesburg. John was father to 15 children and the sole provider for a household of 8 children under the age of 13. He spent his life giving everything he had to family, friends, and strangers, providing a roof and a home for many of them. He was a pillar of the Galesburg community, coaching hundreds of kids in several sports, building an honest home improvement business over 20+ years, donating his time and skills to Habitat for Humanity, and touching lives in other countless ways every day. John wanted to always make sure he was a positive role model. He loved being outdoors, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, and camping. John was also a long time Harley Davidson enthusiast, riding for many years. He loved music and played in bands.

John is survived by his longtime partner of 24 years, Ami L. Lopez; his mother, Marjorie of Galesburg; his children, Carolann Stipp, Dystiny Lopez, Justice Lopez, John Stipp, Cadence Johnson, Ellie Stipp, Zoey Stipp, Braelyn Whiting, Grace Stipp, Garrick Stipp, Ronniee Hippen-Stipp, and Zeke Hippen-Stipp all of Galesburg; Johnet Stipp of Moline, Illinois and Dakota Stipp of Chicago. He is also survived by brothers, Patrick Johnson of Iowa, Ronnie Johnson of Galesburg, Shawn Stipp of Arizona; and sisters, Anna Bratcher of Galesburg, Dawn Hidden of Abingdon, Illinois, and Jennifer Stipp of Oklahoma; 7 grandchildren, Jeremy Johnson, Anakin Mason, Ezra Lopez, Odin Lopez, Julius VanBeveran-Grappe, Charliee Hippen-Grappe, and Gaia Grappe; and many nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by his daughter, Kaiiree Hippen-Stipp, who died with John, a brother, Joe Davis; and his paternal grandparents, Harold and Patricia Beaty.

Visitation for John and Kai will be Friday, October 4, 2024 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Their funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 6, 2024 at the funeral home, with Chaplain Jordan Knight officiating. The family requests in honor of John’s love for Harley Davidson’s, that if you have one, please ride it to the funeral. John and Kai will be buried together at East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family in care of Ami Lopez or may be done through https://gofund.me/7db905cb.