Joseph G. Lipic

Joseph G. Lipic, Sr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, mentor, and a lifelong resident of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025, blessed with the Sacraments of the Holy Mother Church.

Born at St. Anthony’s Hospital on June 25, 1935, Joe was a loving son of the late Joseph G. Lipic and Camilla (Klute) Lipic, who instilled in Joe a strong faith, a loving family environment, and an enduring drive and entrepreneurial spirit.

Joe spent his youth, often on horseback, exploring St. Louis, and shadowing his father, Joseph, as he led the family’s business, The Joseph Lipic Pen Company.

A few years later, Joe attended St. Louis University High School in which he graduated from in 1953. While attending SLUH, Joe developed a deep appreciation for the Jesuits and their teachings which impressed upon him a deep commitment of striving to be a man for others. Upon graduation from SLUH, Joe continued his Jesuit education and attended Saint Louis University where he eventually earned his business degree in 1957. During his years at SLU, Joe devoted his time to campus causes, which included leading a successful fundraising initiative to support the construction of Pius XII Memorial Library.

While faith, studies, and campus involvement brought joy to Joe, his most treasured memory from SLU was when a business school undergrad, Joan Burtelow, caught his eye. On that day, Joan and Joe began their 70 years of life together where they always grounded themselves in their love and their faith.

Married in 1959, Joan and Joe embarked together on a journey that would create and raise a loving family with five children. Over time, those five children welcomed their own, and Joan and Joe’s life and legacy grew with the addition of sixteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren…and counting. Most affectionately referred to as Mermaw and Pawpaw, Joan and Joe’s love and faith-filled example was constantly felt by every member of the “Lipic Bunch”.

Although Faith and Family were core to the founding members of the Lipic Bunch, both Joan and Joe made lasting impacts on friendships, businesses, institutions, and various organizations throughout their life together.

One of Joe’s greatest joys was spent in the promotional products industry where he owned and led Alexander Manufacturing Co. for nearly 60 years with entrepreneurial drive, strong values, and a deep commitment to serving his employees, customers, and community. Through Alexander, Joe, in his own way, continued his family’s legacy. He furthered the various contributions to the promotional items industry that was first established in 1863 by his great-grandfather in a one-room shop on the Mississippi riverfront.

As a true man for others, Joe devoted himself to civic and charitable causes throughout the region. Joe was a 50 plus year board member of St. Anthony’s Medical Center. His vital involvement began with the hospital's relocation from the city to its current South County location, as well as the hospital's numerous expansions over the years. He was instrumental in the creation of the de Greeff Hospice House, which has provided compassionate care to countless individuals and their families.

A man of deep Catholic faith, Joe was an original member of St. Catherine Laboure Parish and served the Archdiocese of St. Louis in various capacities over the years. He was a Trustee of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and served on the board of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, helping to promote interfaith understanding and unity. He was also an active member of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, reflecting his devotion to the Church and his lifelong commitment to caring for those in need, especially in the realm of medical care.

Joe's lasting impact on Saint Louis University was recognized through the naming of the Joseph G. Lipic Clock Tower Plaza, a visible and enduring tribute to his leadership and generosity as a DuBourg Society member. He received numerous honors during his lifetime, including the Alumni Merit Award from the John Cook School of Business, as well as awards from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, the RCGA, Alpha Sigma Nu – International, and the State of Missouri.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Joan Lipic (née Burtelow); his children Joseph Lipic, Jr., Lisa (Michael) O’Connell, Diane (Todd) Nixon, Karen (Michael) McAuliffe, and Susie (Tom) Campbell; his grandchildren Caroline (Jonathan) Bundy, Laura (Jacob) Lear, Caitlin (Mike) Rome, Michael (Kate), Patrick, John, and Kevin O’Connell, Morgan (Austin) Jones, Abby (Brandon) Reichert, Molly (Brian) Nicollerat, Michael, Kevin (Katie), and Brian McAuliffe, Peter, Nicholas, and Danny Campbell; and great-grandchildren Mack, Hudson, Padraic, Parker, Gavin, Mila, Grace, Eloise, Bennett, Emery, Brooks, and Artorian. He was preceded in death by his brother Robert (Ruth Ann) Lipic and is also remembered fondly by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.

Anyone who knew Joe knew he lived a vibrant and meaningful life centered on his Catholic faith, his family, and service. His warmth, love, and Jesuit-inspired spirit touched everyone he encountered. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the entire St. Louis community. AMDG!

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be mailed to The Joseph & Joan Lipic Scholarship Fund, P. O. Box 8533 St. Louis, MO 63126.

Donations will support scholarships for students attending Catholic high schools within the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

Visitation at St. Francis Xavier College Church, 3628 Lindell Blvd. at Grand Blvd., 63108 on Monday, June 9, from 1pm until time of Funeral Mass at 3pm. The Mass will be live streamed via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUCwlCAGxdk

Parking available at the Laclede and Grand Avenue parking garage.

Private Interment Tuesday at Resurrection Cemetery.

Please leave a fond memory of Joe for his family to cherish at the "Add a Memory" link below.