Joseph “Mike” “Jugbutt” Micheal Klopfer, age 75, of Troy, IL, born September 12, 1946, in Alton, IL, passed away on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at his residence with his family by his side.
Mike was a retired Linesman for Illinois Bell after 31 years of service. He was the Chief Starter for Gateway Drag Strip for seven years and was an Army veteran. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and drag racing, but most of all he loved his family. He was a very proud husband, dad, and papa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph B. and Audrey (nee Deck) Klopfer; an adopted son, Denny Gipson; an adopted grandson, D. J.; his stepmother, Evelyn Klopfer; his mother and father-in-law, June, and Edward Kochersperger.
Mike is survived by his wife of 53 years, Terry (nee Kochersperger) Klopfer, whom he married on March 22, 1969; a daughter, Kelly (Richard) McCreary of Bethalto, IL; and three grandchildren: Adie, Ashlyn, and Kahli McCreary; sister and brother-in-law, Tommye and Bob Hopkins; three nieces: Nikki (Lyle) Kern, Kaye (Wayne) Snyder, Sarah (John) Eyer; a nephew, Brian Hopkins; and great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be 3 – 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, Maryville, IL.
The funeral service with military honors will be at 6 p.m. following the visitation with Rev. Bob Prettyman officiating.
Please dress comfortably because Mike was a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy.
His wife and daughter want to thank Hospice of Southern Illinois, his nurse Jane, and his CNA Danielle.
Memorials may be made in Mike’s honor to Cardinal Glennon for childhood cancer and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home at 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.
