John Charles Tripp

John retired from teaching mathematics at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Previously he taught at the University of Texas, in Austin.

He graduated Cum Laude from Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, where he was elected to membership in the Phi Beta Kappa honorary Scholastic Fraternity. He obtained his master’s degree from the University of Illinois and his PhD in Mathematics from Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California. John enjoyed learning foreign languages, traveling, photography and teaching. He was fluent in German, French, Spanish and Polish. He also, studied Russian, Czech, Japanese, Arabic and other languages.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Eva Kaleta Tripp. He is survived by sister, Martha (Jack) Story and Sharon Fear; nephews and nieces, Kevin (Joan) Story, Geoffrey Story, Andrea (Todd) Hilding, Stephanie (Brandon) Thomas and Lynn (Roger) Wondra; great nephews and nieces, Justin, Austin and Nathan Story, Chase, Carter, and Campbell Thomas, Jason and Craig Bals, and Steven Hilding.

Special thanks to Rosewood Care Center of Swansea for all the special attention and loving care John received there and to the services to Passages Hospice. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com

A Memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 10:00am until 11:00am at the Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00am at the funeral home with Rev. Kip Knavel officiating. Interment will be held privately in Herrin Cemetery, Herrin, Illinois.

Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois