John P. Keppler, 76, of Middletown and Lincroft, passed away Sept. 2, 2024, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Summit to Richard G. Keppler and Barbara Petit. John attended Cranford High School and then graduated from Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania. He lived a wonderful and active life in Lincroft for over 40 years. He had an accomplished career at Congoleum Corporation as executive vice president of sales. In the late 1980s, John tapped his entrepreneurial spirit and became the owner of a successful floor covering company, Kim’s Carpet in Bayville, until he retired in 2012.
As a child, John was an avid athlete and enjoyed playing baseball and ice hockey competitively. He continued his love of sports as he got older, including with the St. Leo’s Men’s Softball League; he also regularly played golf and tennis. John enjoyed the beach and spent numerous vacations in the Outer Banks as his children were growing up. He also shared his passion for sports with his children by coaching their baseball and softball teams throughout their childhood.
In addition to having an active lifestyle, John traveled all over the world to Maui, Australia and Monte Carlo with his wife. He took pride in spending his retirement years with family and close friends by golfing weekly and vacationing in Florida a few months out of the year.
As his family grew, he became a grandfather, a position that quickly became the center of his universe. He loved watching his grandkids grow up and play sports and prioritized spending time with them at the ball fields. His grandchildren will always remember him as Grandpa John who gave big hugs and would sneak them cookies whenever he saw them.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Karyn Keppler, whom he loved so deeply. He is also survived by his two cherished children, Terrence Keppler and his wife Marcy of Westfield and Lindsey Powell and her husband Brian of Colts Neck. In addition, he leaves behind his dearest grandchildren, Zachary and Adley Powell and Hayden and Riley Keppler.
A memorial gathering in John’s memory was held Sept. 9 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank.
The article originally appeared in the September 12 – 18, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
