Philip E. Kelton, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the age of 44. He was born September 24, 1981, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Philip was the beloved and loving husband of Amanda F. Hale and a devoted father of Makenna, Natalie, and Haley. He was a proud and loving Papa of K.J. He was the cherished son of Ed and Loretta (nee Stover) Kelton and a dear brother of Christi (Jay), Angie (Daniel), Becky (Mike), Natalie (Gino), Patti (Eric), and Richard (Valarie). He was the cherished son-in-law of Kim and Paul Wilfley and a dear brother-in-law of Kelli (Matthew), Serena (Hunter), and Chris (Amy). Dear nephew, uncle, cousin and friend of many.

Philip had a strong and determined spirit. He was intelligent, quick-witted, and, above all, the king of dad jokes. He was a strong presence and a natural protector, always wanting to make sure the people he loved were safe and cared for. Yet beneath that strength was an incredibly soft heart. Philip cared deeply for others and showed genuine Christian compassion through his willingness to help, encourage, and bring joy to those around him. He had a heart for people and was often the person who would step in when someone needed a helping hand.

Philip had a natural ability to make people laugh and loved being the center of attention and the life of the party. His humor and personality could light up a room. He loved kids and had a special way of connecting with them, making them feel comfortable, valued, and loved. He was good at nearly anything he set his mind to and approached life with determination and confidence.

Philip took pride in always being well put together and cared about his appearance. He enjoyed life and the people around him, but nothing was more important to him than his family. He especially loved cooking for his girls and creating memories with them. His love for his family was evident in the time and attention he gave them and in the many ways he looked after them.

He enjoyed kayaking, spending time with his dogs, watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, attending car shows, ice skating, and riding around on his mower or tractor. Some of his happiest moments were spent with his family, especially riding bikes and scooters with Makenna. These seemingly simple moments of togetherness were among the memories his loved ones will treasure most.

Philip's strength, protective nature, quick wit, generosity, and tender heart made him one of a kind. He could be strong when those he loved needed strength, protective when they needed someone to stand beside them, and compassionate when they simply needed someone to care. His faith and Christian compassion were reflected in the way he treated others-with kindness, a willingness to help, and a genuine desire to make people feel loved.

Philip will be deeply missed and forever remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, proud Papa, cherished son, brother, son-in-law, brother-in-law, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend. His laughter, his dad jokes, his strength, his tender heart, and the love he gave so freely will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Services: The family will receive friends for a visitation at SCHRADER Funeral Home - Eureka, 108 North Central Ave., Eureka, MO 63025, on Sunday, September 13, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. Please share memories of Philip and condolences with the family in the online guestbook at Schrader.com.