Carl Tempel
Swansea | Save
Carl H. Tempel, Sr., 84, of Swansea, IL, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at home with his wife by his side.
Carl was born on November 27, 1941, and lived in Granite City until he graduated from Granite City High School. He later attended McKendree College. Carl started working at Reeb's Dairy as a young man in college. He later bought the business from Mr. Reeb and continued to run the convenience store, and three others, for many years. He continued to operate the dairy distributing end of the business until he sold it to Prairie Farms in 2015. He made many, many friends over the years in the milk and ice cream business.
Carl was active in Swansea. He was on the Board of Trustees for 18 years. He was also on the Park Board for many years. He was on the Bank Boards of Millstadt Bank, Union Bank and Bank of Belleville. He enjoyed talking about finances and was an avid follower of the stock market and CNBC.
He enjoyed watching and attending baseball games of the St. Louis Cardinals and was in attendance for the last two World Series' winners. When COVID hit, it was the end of attending games in person. After that, he just watched from home.
Carl was an extremely generous philanthropist to many charities and causes. He taught his wife the value of charity. He was her rock and she was his biggest fan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Charlotte Tempel; an older sister, Julia Oyen-Keller; and a twin brother, Thomas A. Tempel.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie, whom he married on July 3, 1982; his son, Carl Tempel, Jr.; his daughter, Diane (Mitch) Keller; a grandson, Cody (Abbey) Keller; two great-granddaughters, Etta and Nora; his brother, Phil (Carol) Tempel; and his sister-in-law, Carol Tempel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to ALFA Foundation, 973 North Sixth Street, Mascoutah, IL, Vitas Healthcare, 16 Executive Drive, Fairview Heights, IL, or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Carl would enjoy the fact that there will be a Celebration of Life from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2027, at the Thompson Center at Mel Price Park, Swansea, IL.
Renner Funeral Home
