Jerome Bernard Tepen

JEROME TEPEN

JERSEYVILLE - Jerome Bernard Tepen, 87, passed away at 2:46 p.m., Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.

He was born on March 28, 1938, in Batchtown, Illinois, to the late John Bernard and Catherine Anna (Benz) Tepen, and was raised with the values that would define his life: hard work, loyalty, and devotion to those he loved.

On October 18, 1958, Jerome married the former Judith "Judy" Ann Bartlett at St. John’s Catholic Church in Carrollton. Together, they built a life that spanned more than six decades, raising six children and creating a family that would continue to grow through grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Judy preceded him in death on May 20, 2021, and though her absence was deeply felt, the life they built together remained Jerome’s greatest source of pride.

Jerome dedicated his professional career as an Electrical Engineer with Boeing, where his intelligence, precision, and steady work ethic were evident in everything he did. Outside of work, Jerome and Judy shared a love for travel and adventure, fulfilling a lifelong goal of visiting all 50 states. Some of their most cherished times were spent wintering in Florida, escaping the cold and soaking in quieter moments together.

Family traditions were the heartbeat of Jerome’s life. Annual trips to Table Rock Lake, weekends spent camping or boating, and gatherings large and small were moments he treasured deeply. Whether celebrating milestones or simply being together at home, Jerome understood the value of showing up for birthdays, holidays, ordinary days, and everything in between. He was, in every sense, the patriarch of his family - steadfast, present, and deeply proud of those who called him Dad, Grampy or Papa.

Jerome also had a lifelong appreciation for vintage cars, a passion that reflected his love for craftsmanship and history. Known for his dry, understated #tepenhumor, he had a way of delivering a perfectly timed remark that lingered long after the laughter faded.

Surviving are his six children and their spouses: Denise (Ron) Schneider of Weldon Spring, Missouri; Debbie (Kevin) Traub of Jerseyville; David Tepen (Carl Perkins) of Amarens, France; Doug (Laura) Tepen of St. Charles, Missouri; Dean (Melissa) Tepen of Jerseyville; and Duane Tepen (Amy Cook) of Festus, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren, Jeremy Schneider and his fiancée, Sara B., of Maplewood, Missouri; Ryan and Miranda Schneider of Affton, Missouri; Courtney Traub of San Francisco, California; Suzanne and Brad Fry of Edwardsville; Torrie and Brad Gilmore of Jerseyville; Amanda and James Allen of St. Peters, Missouri; Amber and Luke Calvert of Winfield, Missouri; Abigail Tepen of Jacksonville; Ashleigh and Jarrod Frazier of Jerseyville; Drew and Isabella Tepen of Grafton; Tyler and Abby Tepen of St. Louis, Missouri; Terah Alexis Tepen of Las Vegas, Nevada; Gabriella Tepen and her fiancé, Dalten East, of Jerseyville; and Ashton Tepen, serving with the United States Air Force; thirteen great-grandchildren, Avery, Logan, Olive, Harrison, Caden, Joel, Easton, Wyatt, Noah, Brynleigh, Benjamin, Bowen, and Reece; a sister, Bernadine Hillen of Meppen; a brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Norma Tepen of Roodhouse; and a sister-in-law, Joann Tepen of Carrollton.

In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Jerome was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Dorothy (Plummer) Bartlett; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Norman and Rosie Tepen and Delmar Tepen; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann and Mike Ritter; two brothers-in-law, Eddie Hillen and William C. “Billy” Bartlett; and a sister-in-law, Jeanne Tepen.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, with burial to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, in honor of his granddaughter, Suzanne or to St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic School, in care of the funeral home. 

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com.

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