Racine – Joseph Adam McKellips, age 25, passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully in his sleep, on Friday, July 9, 2021.

Joseph was born in Racine on March 1, 1996 and attended JI Case High School. He was employed with several local companies, as a CNC operator. With a brilliant mind and free-spirt, Joe could often be found taking extremely long walks, was an American history buff, watched countless movies in which he could recite every actors name and date it was produced, had a photographic memory and was unbelievably knowledgeable regarding any topic at hand; he loved old school mobsters, his Irish heritage, basketball, children, his family and, above all, had a heart of gold who would do anything for anyone in need.

Surviving are his loving mom & step- dad, Nancy Rangel and Terry Gautsch; adored brothers, Andrew (Espie Garcia) Morales, Isaiah "Zay" McKellips and Abel Rangel ,Fabian Garay; two sisters Fiorela Garay and Fabiola Garay beloved nephews, Ricardo Morales, Yahir Rebollar-Garay, Xantiago Gonzalez-Garay, Joaquin Sanchez-Garay, and Octavio Sanchez- Garay; his "Mema" & "Papa", Sally & Jim McKellips; aunts, Renee (Jose) Hernandez, Jamie McKellips, Crystal (Thereso) Gallo and Laurie McKellips (Junior) De La Cruz; his cousins Ayanna, Yesenia, Tito, Abbi, Haily,Brianna, Kenny, Chace, Andrea, Erika, Aaron, Landon, Ivanelis, Bella, Jelly, Danny, Alex, Isaac, Khloe, Sara, Aaliyah, Jade, Tony, and Alana. Bonus family: Anna Gautsch, Vickie Hackman, David (Allen) Gautsch and Glenn (Natalie) Gautsch and many other relatives, cousins and friends – too numerous to mention all by name.

Joseph was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, James and Louise McKellips, Nancy Brulport, Donald Beegle and his close friend, Jackie.

A Celebration of Joseph's Life will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 11:00 am in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday evening, July 15 ^th , from 5:00 – 8:00 pm and on Friday from 10-11 am.  In memory of Joe, "Pay it Forward" by offering a kind deed to someone in need.