James Keith Preston HARTUPEE

Hartupee, James Keith Preston "Keith" of St. Charles, MO was born on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1963. He looked forward to his green beer, green cake and corned beef and cabbage meal. Keith died on December 16, 2015. Loving son of the late James and Georgann Hartupee. Beloved husband of Colleen Hartupee. Dear father and father in law of Chad and Jessica Meissner, Brian and Michelle Hartupee, Jesse Hartupee and Luke Hartupee. Keith was very proud of his boys, they were his life. Dear brother and brother in law of Dawn and Terry Fick , Tammy Estes, Kelly and Larry Starks, and Brandi and Rob Snider. Loving grandfather of Michael, Brody, Max, Jacob, Chrissy and Donny. Keith was an Iron worker with local 396. He built the Butterfly House while his boys rode the large merry go round. He also built Clayton's water fountain, the steps at the court house building, the museum at the Arch and he started the Page Expansion. He also moved the home plate back at Busch Stadium. These are just a few of his accomplishments. Keith loved hunting, fishing, camping and being outside. He didn't care if he had ice in his hair or his clothes soaking wet with sweat when it was to hot. Keith is now reunited with his daughter, Jasmayne Kristina Marie Hartupee, who died January 23, 1997. His brother in laws, Dennis Estes, who died on March 29, 1996 and Danny Meissner. His uncles John Ramsey and Tom Hartupee. Grandma and grandpa Hartupee. His mother Georgann Repp, who died December 19, 2014. His dad James Edward Hartupee, who died September 1, 2013. His grandma Ramsey. His father in law Melchoir Meissner. His grandma Gerdes who adored him. His cousins Kurt McVicker and Jimmy Konnersman and many fellow iron workers. His wife Colleen referred to him as her iron man! Colleen called him this because of all the metal in his body and his favorite song was Iron Man! He fell 35 feet in 1997 while building the parking garage for Children's Hospital. He had a plate on his clavicle because it never grew back. In 2001 the surgeon broke his neck by screwing the plate to tight and placing a bone from the bone bank in his neck without doing a bone density test on him. He had two rods, screws and wire wrapped around his neck. Keith was a very loving, caring and sharing man, who hated when his loved ones were upset or sad. When Keith and Colleen would have a disagreement he would leave the house for an hour and come back with the silliest thing that would have laughing. One December he came back with the singing wreath. Another time it was a singing and dancing monkey. Keith was helping a few homeless adults the last years of his life. He opened his door to feed them, put a roof over their heads and gave them what he could to help. He did not know the word NO. Whenever someone asked for his help he did it even when it caused him to be bed ridden for days after. His body has hurt him for twenty-one years and continued to get worse. The pain was overwhelming to him! He was very tired of this pain he had endured. He was a strong man to deal with this pain everyday and walk around like there was nothing to it. One day, eight big men were trying to move a car off of the street and Keith was tired of watching these men struggle, so he told them to get out of the way and he moved it himself! He will be missed by many, but we have all of these precious memories to live with us forever. A celebration of Keith's life will be held on January 3, 2016 from 3 to 6 pm at Maryland Heights Presbyterian Church, 200 Harding Ave, Maryland Heights, MO 63043. Food and drink will be served in the church basement after the celebration of life!

James Keith Preston HARTUPEE

March 17, 1963 - December 16, 2015