Etta M. Keppler

Etta Mae Keppler, 78, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 10:19 p.m., Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Effingham, IL.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL, with Richard Hood officiating. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. 

Etta was born on May 26, 1948, in Shelbyville, IL, the daughter of Carl “Farmer” and Edna Fern (Wallace) Nees. Etta married Larry Dale Keppler in 1973. Etta was a homemaker and babysitter, caring care for her sons, grandchildren, and many others. She enjoyed sewing doll clothes, crocheting, and going thrift shopping. She regularly watched game shows and the nightly news. Etta liked music, including that of Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, and Guns ‘n Roses, but Travis Tritt was her all-time favorite.

Etta is survived by her six grandchildren, Jori Nees (Charlene) of Charleston, IL, Kody Nees (Ashley) of Charleston, IL, Harlie Gill of Marion, IL, Katherine Best (Reed) of Shelbyville, IL, Ashley Loder of Effingham, IL, and Julia Nees of Shelbyville, IL; 11 great grandchildren; three sisters, Helen Nees of Kansas City, MO, Diana Tull (David) of Herrick, IL, and Wendy Hopkins (Bill) of Fancher, IL; niece and caretaker, Christina Rauch of Herrick, IL, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Larry Keppler; sons, Brian Keppler and Anthony “Tony” Nees; brothers, Billy Nees, Paul Nees, Charles Nees and Douglas Nees; and sisters, Phyllis Jarrell, Vickie Hawn, Marie Nees, Marta Joy Nees, Patricia Black, Melba Shelton, Sharon Rassmussen, Mary Gonzales, and Linda Nees.