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Aug 2nd, 1948 - Mar 21st, 2019Funeral: 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at Orchardville Church
Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Monday evening, March 25, 2019, at Orchardville Church
Interment: Odd Fellows Cemetery, Xenia
Robert ‘Bob’ N. Pieplow, age 70, of Xenia, Illinois, passed away Thursday morning, March 21, 2019, at his home after a brave battle with pulmonary fibrosis, and earning his victory in the arms of his savior.
Bob was born August 2, 1948, in Hanover, New Hampshire, the son of Walter and Irene Mae (Stone) Pieplow. He married Patti Lucas and they later divorced but remained friends while co-parenting their daughter, Jennifer. He later married Connie (Ragsdale) Wathan May 16, 1998, during a ceremony at Powers Church near Xenia, and together they have shared 20 years of marriage.
After spending his early years in Vermont, his family moved to Reedsburg, Wisconsin, where he attended parochial school and high school. In 1968 Bob joined the Army and observed his 21st birthday while serving in Vietnam. Stationed in China Beach and Da Nang, he drove heavy equipment and was a perimeter guard. He was a lifelong member of the VFW and American Legion. Bob began his working career at Borg Textiles, a mill in Reedsburg. He later transferred to a manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and went on to work at several jobs including Southern Tool Steel. After deciding to relocate to join family in southern Illinois, he took a position at Xenia Manufacturing and was part of their team for 20 years, retiring in 2013. A member of Orchardville Church, he and Connie were active in volunteering for activities with their church family. Bob’s diverse interests covered an array of outdoor activities and other pursuits including bird watching, flower cultivation, deer hunting and shed antler hunting, sustaining a soft spot for his cats, and playing a round of golf. He especially enjoyed seeing his family and dining out, and will be remembered for sharing the genuine pride and patriotism that he embraced for his country.
He is survived by his wife: Connie Pieplow of Xenia; children: Jennifer (Jason) Hagen of Barron, Wisconsin, Eva (Marty) Fatheree of Xenia, Holly (Ken) Wathan-Green of Evanston, and Daniel (Sheena) Wathan of Lakeland, Florida; grandchildren: Jake and Luke Hagen, and Sean, Chad, and Nicole Hubble; great-grandsons: Logan and Seamus Hubble; a brother: Gene (Betty) Pieplow of Xenia; a sister: Carolyn Bohl of Green Bay, Wisconsin; a sister-in-law: Brenda (George) Wintrode of Andrews, Indiana; and 5 nieces and nephews: Brian Pieplow, Susan Suntrup, Kelly Forth, Steven Forth, and Tracy Buzzell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister; a brother-in-law: Robert Bohl; father and mother-in-law: Bob and Jackie Ragsdale; a niece: Marina Buzzell; and a nephew: Brent Buzzell.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at Orchardville Church. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Xenia, with the presenatation of military funeral honors. Visitation will be Monday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at the church. Arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Memorial donations are suggested to a choice of Orchardville Church or the Jefferson, Wisconsin VFW, or any charity of the donor’s choice, and any of these and will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a memory or condolence visit www.frankandbright.com.
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So sorry for your loss. Prayers for family.
So sorry for your loss Connie. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Uncle Gene, Caroline and Connie. So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with all of you. He will be missed.
So very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Gene, so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our prayers.
Sorry for your loss. Bob was a good man he will be missed.
For Gene and Betty: We are so very sorry for your loss. May wonderful memories of special times spent together help to comfort you.
Connie-so glad I got to meet you and bob in fort Atkinson. May God give you stength and comfort at this difficult time. Patti’s friend -joyce..
Gene, Betty and Connie, My sympathy to you all and the rest of your family. I hope your memories and faith sustain you during this sad time if loss.
Our deepest sympathies to the Bob Pieplow family.
Connie So Sorry For Your Loss. So glad we got to know Bob. Prayers for you and your family. Don and Boots Wagner
Sorry to learn of your loss and an old friend of mine from many years ago. We had alot of good times back in the 60's and 70's. I will always remember those times. Bob was a good friend.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Our Heart's & Prayer's are with you!
BOB Was an absolute pleasure to work for & immediately made everyone feel at home & part of the team. He was Not only my supervisor for many years but also a Very trusted friend and Awesome family figure ! I will Always cherish the great conversations and knowledge I gained through the many years of our friendship. My heart goes out st this difficult time for strength for the entire family, thank you!
I always enjoyed working and visiting with Bob. Connie, you know that I will be thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. May God bless and keep you!
So sorry for your loss. May the Lord guide and comfort you at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am so so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Thoughts and prayers!
so sorry connie & family about the death of your husband
So sorry for your loss, Connie, thoughts to you and the family.
so sorry to here bob has passed. he was a wonderful person at work and away from work. Connie you are in my prayers and thoughts.
My heart goes out to you as you mourn the death of your brother and my cousin. I remember Bob and I playing together during summer vacation time in Reedsburg catching tadpoles in the creek and climbing sandhills down the street from your home. My memories aren't so clear anymore but that's how I remember those summer days. Unfortunately our lives never connected again in over 50 years. I didn't know that he served in the Army in Vietnam. I don't think it's too late to thank him for his service. I am comforted to know that now he is celebrating with the saints triumphant the feast of victory that endures forever. Alleluia!
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
