Eugene A. “Gene” Loepker, age 87, of Germantown, passed away Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Cedarhurst of Breese. He was born June 26, 1938, in Bartelso, a son of the late Herman and Mary (nee Linnemann) Loepker.
Gene is survived by his loving wife, Gertrude “Gertie” (nee Timmermann) Loepker, whom he married June 1, 1965, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Beckemeyer and together they built a home filled with laughter, hard work, and deep family roots. In addition to his wife, Gene is survived by his children, Mark (Patty) Loepker of Breese, Nancy (Jesse) Weems, Tina (Steve) Arentsen, Lynn (Mike) Tonnies, DeAnn (Ken) Brauer, all of Germantown, and Darin (Kelly) Loepker of Breese; grandchildren, Ryan (Chelsea) Loepker, Kelsie (Jacob) Buehne, Mason Weems, Miah Weems, Jamie (Colin) Reilmann, Justin Arentsen, Alexis (Jake) Kuhl, Brenden (Caroline) Tonnies, Jillian (fiancé, Nathan Rivera) Tonnies, Kyle Brauer, Dylan (Abby) Brauer, Carson Loepker, and Marlee Loepker; great-grandchildren, Max and Oakley Loepker, Callie and Brooks Buehne, Caiden, Olivia, and Vivian Reilmann, Florence Tonnies, and Vienna Kuhl; sisters, Florence (Ralph) Lampe of Aviston and Betty Deerhake of Germantown; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Bernette Beckmann of Bartelso, Leona “Yogi” (Rich) Thole of St. Rose, Leon (Laverne) Timmermann of Swansea, Don (Marilyn) Timmermann of Bartelso, Lue Loepker of Breese, Mutz Loepker of Germantown, and Jeanette Loepker of Bartelso; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his brothers, Wendell Loepker, Dennis Loepker, and Robert Loepker; parents-in-law, Herman and Helen (nee Lammers) Timmermann; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Larry Deerhake, Virginia (Johnny) Winkeler, Ralph Timmermann, Mary Ann (Bill) Gerdes, Bernice (Paul) Deerhake, Nick Beckmann, and Joseph Timmermann.
A proud United States Army Veteran, Gene carried the values of service and responsibility throughout his life. He owned and operated Loepker Trucking for many years, hauling for Wickes Lumber in Breese, and later continued doing what he loved by driving part-time for Wilke Truck Service in St. Rose.
Gene was a longtime member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, the Germantown American Legion Post 325, and a fifty-plus-year member of the Bartelso Knights of Columbus Council 4745. Faith, friendship, and community were guiding forces throughout his life.
He enjoyed the simple pleasures, attending his grandchildren’s games and events, tending to his garden, playing euchre, trying his luck gambling, and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals. Gene had a way of teasing people that made them feel welcomed and loved, and he will be remembered by his great-grandchildren as the “Tickle Man”.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown with Fr. Thomas Lugge presiding. Interment will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and again Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Germantown.
In lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, memorials may be made to St. Boniface Parish or Breese Cedarhurst Activity Fund and will be received at the visitation or by mail at Moss Funeral Home, 535 N. 5th St., Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.
