John Edward Pieper, 83, of Pawnee, died on Monday, June 22, 2026, at his home in Pawnee.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 27, at Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee, with the Rev. A.B. Bennett officiating. A private family burial will follow at Auburn Cemetery in Auburn. Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family.
Mr. Pieper was born on Jan. 12, 1943, in Springfield, the son of Orville F. and Mary J. Unser Pieper. He married Donna Kaye Turnbull on May 7, 1966, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Springfield.
He graduated from Morrisonville High School in 1961, where he was also involved in Future Farmers of America. He was a veteran of the Illinois Air National Guard, serving for six years. He worked for Illinois Bell and Ameritech as a cable splicer and later as a fiber optics technician. He retired in 1996.
Mr. Pieper was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Springfield Sportsman’s Conservation Club. He loved fishing, spending time outdoors and a family vacation to Colorado was a highlight. He enjoyed tinkering with things and could fix and build anything. He had a special passion for electronics and computers. He also loved music and played the accordion.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Donna, of Pawnee; son, John D. “David” (Nicole) Pieper, of Petersburg; daughter, Deborah M. (Mike) Johnson of Divernon; grandchildren, Elliott, Colin, Noah (fiancée, Carrie) Dalton and Madelyn; and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Pieper was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Marjorie “Margie” Brown and Bette Gunkel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pawnee Food Pantry, P.O.Box 304, Pawnee, IL 62558.
Condolences may be left at www.curryfh.com.
