Joseph Richard Reppert

Joseph Richard Reppert spent the last days of his life in ideal surroundings doing the things he enjoyed with people he loved. Joe’s brother, Jerry Reppert, was visiting Joe and his wife, Chick, at their home in Destin, Florida to celebrate Joe’s recent 81st birthday. They had spent time catching up, telling stories, sharing jokes, playing golf and simply having fun together. On the morning of April 6, 2024 as Jerry was preparing for his flight home, Joe suddenly collapsed and never regained consciousness.

Born in Anna, Illinois on March 8, 1943 to Lewida Corrine Richards and Henry Clay Reppert, Joe grew up with a first hand knowledge of the newspaper business since his family owned the Anna Gazette-Democrat. He worked various jobs with the newspaper until he began his college career at Kansas State University in Manhatten, KS, where he was also a proud member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. After receiving his MBA from Kansas State University, Joe became a lieutenant in the Navy Reserve and a journalist in Southern Illinois.  

His experience in journalism eventually led him to Washington, D.C. where he served as Press Secretary to the Republican Senator from Kansas,  Robert J. Dole. Through the many political and social connections he made in Washington and elsewhere, Joe began working in the field of mortgage banking. He went on to become President of one of the largest lending institutions in the State of Florida, AmeriFirst Mortgage, and later on, the Vice Chairman of First American Financial Corporation, and CoreLogic.

Although Joe was tremendously successful in his career, he most enjoyed the time he spent fishing and golfing with his wife of 31 years, Colleen Padden Reppert, known to all as Chick. Whether they were in Cabo, Destin or Pensacola or on golf courses throughout the country, Chick and Joe were happiest on the boat doing some deep-sea fishing and competing with each other for the title of Champion Golfer. Joe’s children and later his grandchildren would often join them in their time on the water, at the beach, and in other recreational activities.

Joe is survived by his wife, Chick of Destin, FL, his brother, Jerry L. Reppert of Anna, Illinois, his daughters Weslie Reppert McConkey,  Meghan Reppert Helbert, and Claibourne Reppert Nesmith and his son, Caleb Reppert. He was a proud grandfather to his seven grandchildren: Callahan, Willow Rain,  Annabelle,  Remington,  Joseph,  Avon, and Ned.  Funeral services will be held in Anna, Illinois at a later date.

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