Charles Allen Kiper

Age 74 of Wilmington, Illinois, formerly of Leitchfield, Kentucky, died Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Aperion Care in Wilmington.

Born July 9, 1950 in Leitchfield, Charles Allen was a son of George and Mary (Poole) Kiper. He was raised and educated in Leitchfield with his five siblings. In 1968, Charles Allen married the late Kathy Bell, and she preceded him in death in 1974.

He worked at Bardstown Distillery in Kentucky for several years as a laborer assembling whiskey barrels. Charles Allen was a past member of New Bethel Church in Hardinsburg, Kentucky, and he would eventually relocate to Wilmington to be closer to his mother.

He loved everything to do with cars, whether he was working on them underneath the hood or he was detailing them down to the finest detail. Charles Allen loved his family very much and cherished the time he was able to spend with them, especially his son.

Survivors include his son, Kevin Kiper of Wilmington; three sisters: Lilly Marie Nelson, Mary Nell (Richard) Higdon, and Ruby (Clayton) Miller, all of Leitchfield, and one brother, Frank (Susan) Kiper of Wilmington; nieces and nephews: Donald and Tucker Kiper, Richard and Megan Higdon, and Dustin and Maria Probus; three aunts: Alice Patterson of Leitchfield, and Frances McCombes and Edie Burnette, both of Duff, Kentucky; as well as many cousins and other beloved extended family.

Charles Allen was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Kiper; his wife, Kathy Bell Kiper; one brother, Bruce (Mary Lou) Kiper; two nephews: Ronnie McGee and Mark Kiper; and his aunts and uncles: Jerry and Henry Pool, Dorothy House, Ann Worshire, and Virginia (Huston) Vincent.

Per his wishes, cremation rites are being accorded and Charles Allen will be laid to rest at Duff Cemetery in Kentucky with his wife in the Spring.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Charles Allen's memorial page via social media. 

Cremation services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.