Alan Lee Sippel

Rev. Mr. Alan Lee Sippel, 78, passed away on October 19, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and minister to many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Alan was born in Hamilton, Ohio to Carl and Phyllis Sippel, and from his early years, developed a passion for art, instilled in him by his beloved mother, a practicing artist and art teacher. Alan went on to attend and graduate from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1967 with a degree in Speech and a minor in Fine Arts and then completed his graduate work at Miami University. After being an art teacher for a short time, Alan was called to serve in the ministry and attended the United Theological Seminary in Dayton for his training. Alan was ordained in the United Methodist Church (UMC), and served at Shiloh UMC in Cincinnati, Gilman UMC in Marietta, Amelia UMC near Cincinnati, Grace UMC in Dayton, Church of the Redeemer UMC in Columbus, eventually retiring from Worthington UMC in 2009.

Alan was a devoted father who attended every cross-country and track meet, worked endless hours on his son’s farm, and traveled to Japan to visit his other son. He was always there to offer guidance, support, and encouragement, no matter what challenges they faced.

Alan enjoyed artistic expression and was an avid painter, who sold his work internationally. He was a staunch appreciator of the Japanese aesthetic and traveled to Japan nine times. An ardent supporter of his alma mater, Ohio Wesleyan University, Alan served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1994-2012 and as a member of his class reunion committee for many years.

Preceded in death by his son, Ben, Alan is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne (Boell), his son, Chris Sippel (Shaker Heights, OH) and wife, Tomoko, and grandchildren, Kai and Mia, his daughter-in-law Lisa (Mt. Gilead, OH) and grandchildren, Charlie and Miriam, and his brother, Chuck and wife, Leigh Sippel (Morgan Hill, CA). Alan will be deeply missed by his family, and many other friends, colleagues, neighbors, and church communities.

A Celebration of Life with a reception to follow will be held at Worthington United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 11 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in Alan's memory to the Jon Benjamin “Ben” Sippel ’02 and Alan Sippel ’67 Memorial Scholarship at Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) or a cause of your choice. Gifts to OWU may be made online at www.owu.edu/give, by selecting "Other" in the designation field and typing in "Sippel Scholarship”. Gifts may also be mailed to: Ohio Wesleyan University Attn: Advancement Office 61 S. Sandusky St. Delaware, OH 43015, and writing "Sippel Scholarship" in the memo line."