Sean Michael Keip, 36, of Woodlawn, IL lost his battle to Melanoma Cancer on March 23rd, 2026 at 4:52 pm surrounded by loved ones. Sean was born December 2nd, 1989 to Michael Leroy Keip and Sherry Lynn Keip in Mt. Vernon, IL. He married his love Hillary (Scott) Keip on May 17, 2013 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and they had a beautiful life together.
In addition to his loving wife, Sean is survived by his sons, Ford and Bauer Keip of Woodlawn, IL; his mother, Sherry Keip of Mt. Vernon, IL; sister, Ralyn (Jess) Longley of Dix, IL; brothers, Josh Keip of Mt. Vernon, IL and Lukas (Jessica) Keip of Cape Girardeau, MO; nieces and nephews, Reese, Jovi and Harlee Longley and Theodore and Arthur Keip; grandma, “Granny” Darlene Mount of Mt. Vernon, IL; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Amy Scott of Waltonville, IL; sister-in-law, Hallie Scott of Fort Smith, Arkansas; special friends, Dylan and Shayna Rightnowar; and several aunts and cousins.
Sean was preceded in death by his father, Michael Keip; grandfathers, Harley “Bud”Mount, Ira Jack Branch, Paul Keip; and grandma, Freda Branch.
Sean was a dedicated employee of Rightnowar’s Heating and Cooling in Mt. Vernon, IL, a company who treated Sean more like family than an employee for which he was forever grateful. Sean was a hardworking man who loved his garden and homesteading! He grew all sorts of fruits, vegetables and flowers and loved to share his harvest. More than gardening, Sean loved his family. He was a very proud father and husband. He fought his cancer battle with so much strength, with the hopes of watching his boys grow up. He loved to watch them play basketball, throw a baseball around with them and get in heated Mario Kart battles. He loved to teach them about plants and explore the outdoors with them. Family meant everything to him and he put them first in everything he did.
If you knew Sean at all, you would know how proud he was to be a member of Woodlawn Christian Church in Woodlawn. He was baptized at the church in 2019 and it was a decision he took so seriously. He invited countless people to church in hopes they would hear God’s word and also change their life for the better. Through bad news after bad news, Sean took comfort that even if he lost this fight, he would get to spend eternity with his Heavenly Father. We are sure he is already working on his garden up in heaven!
This is an unbearable pain we feel on Earth losing our sweet Sean but take so much comfort in knowing he is not in pain any longer. Sean had Melanoma with an NRAS mutation which was found through a mole on his ear in October 2023. Had he not been so vigilant, he would have passed much sooner. Please get yearly exams. Make the time. Perform checks at home and if any suspicious moles pop up, please get them checked and encourage others.
There will be no services at this time. In lieu of flowers, his family knows it would mean the world to Sean if you attended church this Sunday. If you don’t have a church, Woodlawn Christian Church has services Sundays at 9 am and 11 am (childcare at the 11:00 service) and we would love for you to attend and hear his favorite Pastor Doug. And if you do have a church you already attend, reach out to someone and invite them with you.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.