Phillip Sapp (78) of Effingham

Phillip G. Sapp, 78, of Effingham died at 4:17 p.m. Saturday, April 28, 2018 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be left by clicking here. 

Phillip G. Sapp was born on Tuesday, April 9, 1940 in Larkinsburg Township, rural Clay County, Illinois to Lester C. and Myrtle E. (Hites) Sapp. He married his sweetheart Roberta Conner on April 24, 1960. Together they started their own strawberry patch and fruit farm and for many years, locals enjoyed picking strawberries and visiting with the Sapps. Phil was very talented and wore many hats during his lifetime. He taught himself to play the guitar and shared his talent and love for music. In 1978, he formed his own band, Wolf Creek Country, and was the lead singer. Sometime in the late 90’s the band dissolved, but he still played the guitar and sang at home. Loving woodworking, he joined the Carpenter’s Union Local 347 on August 1, 1968 until 2002, upon which time he retired after almost 50 years. After retiring, he and his wife built several spec homes. He then set up shop at Gregory’s Flea Market for over 12 years. Phil enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening and camping. His love of woodworking is carried on with his both of his sons. Phil attended New Hope Church in Effingham.

Phil is survived by his wife of over 58 years, Roberta Sapp of Effingham; sons, Carl (Pam) Sapp, Edgewood and Greg (Dalena) Sapp of Dieterich; grandchildren, Brooke Sapp of Indiana, Andrew Sapp, Charleston, Jessica (Matthew) Lindsey, Vincennes, IN, and Hannah (Cole Stuemke) Sapp, Edgewood; great grandchildren, Lexie Lindsey and Liam Stuemke; sisters, Deliah Nygaard, Memphis, TN, Janine Johnson, Effingham, Helen Cox, Farina, Glenda Warner, Cheboygan, MI, Becky (Jim) Stallings, Larkspur, CO, Debbie Fender, Vandalia; brother, Michael (Sally) Sapp of Virginia; sisters-in-law, Louise Sapp, Savoy, Nila (Don) Byers, Decatur and Sharon Cannon, Brownstown; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert and Gerald Sapp and Lester and Virgil Sapp in infancy; sister, Rosemary Cox; brothers-in-law, Gerald Johnson, Ray Nygaard, Kenneth Cox, Larry Conner, and Gene Cannon; mother and father-in-law, Theron and Imogene Conner.