Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Bob Pieplow
Aug 2nd, 1948 - Mar 21st, 2019Robert ‘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.