John Turney Liipfert, Vietnam veteran
John Turney Liipfert, 75, of Lewes, passed away Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes with his wife Mary and caretaker Kathy by his side. He was born Feb. 15, 1947, in Washington, D.C., son of the late Eugene T. and Anne (Turney) Liipfert.
John earned a bachelor's degree from Davidson College in 1969. While working toward his academic degree, he enrolled in the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps, was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant at graduation, and was promoted to 1st lieutenant. John was awarded a bronze star for bravery in Vietnam. After his honorable discharge, he built a career in insurance and marketing.
John married the love of his life, Mary Matan, in Chevy Chase, Md., Aug. 1, 1969, and together they enjoyed 53 years of marriage. He had many and varied interests and hobbies, including RV'ing across the country with Mary, playing bridge with his Lewes friends, and playing guitar and singing folk songs with friends around the campfire. John’s next greatest love was flying, which he had to stop due to his MS diagnosis. He was a longtime parishioner at Holy Redeemer Church in Kensington, Md., as well as a docent at the Cannonball House for Lewes Historical Society. John and his wife, Mary, also enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels in Lewes. Time spent with his family was what he treasured more than anything. John was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Loved by many, he will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Matan Liipfert; his daughter, Carrie Anne Messina (Matthew); his son, John Turney Liipfert Jr. (Sarah Hammond); his grandchildren: John Patrick Caulfield Scanlon and James Draper Messina; his brother, Christian Liipfert (Pamela); his niece, Jocelyn Liipfert Lam (Paul); and his nephew, Todd Liipfert (Taylor); all the extended Matan family; and caretaker, Kathy Bennett.
The Liipfert family would like to thank all the kind caregivers at Harbor Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13, at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where friends may visit beginning at noon.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, mssociety.donordrive.com/campaign/John-Liipfert-Memorial.
Visit Mr. Liipfert’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
