John F. Pifher

John attended Mount St. Francis Seminary for three years and then graduated from St. Peter's High School in 1948. He married the love of his life, Bernice Sheets and they were blessed with 67 years of marriage together. John served in two branches of the military; he enlisted in the United States Navy, was discharged, at the request of the government, and drafted into the United States Army for active duty during the Korean War. John owned an electrical business before working and retiring from Electrical Union Local #688. John decided retirement was not for him and went back to work as a state electrical inspector for Ohio, from which he later retired. John loved spending time with his family and counted those times as cherished memories. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, biking, camping, and square dancing.  He was member of Amvets Post 26, KWVA Post 51, and VFW Post 3494.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Brother Stephen "Ronny" Pifher, Bob Pifher, Billy Pifher, Paul Pifher, twin brothers, Raymond and Richard Pifher and twin siblings, Dicky and Mary Ann; great grandson, Kamden Saldana; niece, Yolanda Pifher; nephews, Bobby and Chuckie Pifher and Sean Stark; son-in-law, Leo Hess; and brother-in-law, Paul Stark.

John is survived by his beloved wife, Bernice (Sheets) Pifher; brother, Father Cletus Pifher; sisters, Gloria Bowman (Mike Moore) and Cindy Stark; many nieces and nephews; daughter, Bev (Bill) Cowell and family, Jenny, Candi, Grace, Zakk, Kendall (Marissa), baby on the way, Cortney, Lewis, Annette (Michael), Kaitlyn, Myles, BJ (Julie), baby Chris, and Cathy (Matt); son, Jack (Andi) Pifher and family, Chrisy (Matt), Bailey, Willow, Joyce (Ryan), Gavin, Peyton, Maile, Gabriela, Kamren, Maddesyn, Dale, Hayley, and Shannon (Casey); son, Ken (Sandy) Pifher and family, Joe (Terri), Kate, Jacob, Tonya (Greg), Hannah, Hayden, Hudson, Lori (Eric), Annie and Ben; son, Steve (Diana) Pifher and family, Steve II, Alasia, Emma, Beth (Richard), Pam (Travis), Shela (Jerrell), Kayla, Jimmy, Haley, Christopher, McKenzie, and Jaden; daughter, Marilyn (Ralph) Pettis and family, Edward Jr., Brian (Ashley), Mike (Liz), and Kevin (Sarah); daughter, Teresa Pifher-Hess; son, Tony (Roberta) Pifher and family, Brandon (Amanda), Bristol, Axel and Brenick(twins), Brittany (Rusty), Kristian, Faith, Bobby (Bailey), Karsyn and Kaidyn; son, Don (Corrine) Pifher and family, Jonathon (Kandace), Jessika (Justin), baby Lucas in July, Ashley, Marshal, Finnley, Bailey (Sean), Branson, Bentley, Blakely, Meila and Beverly; and son, David (Nicole) and family, Simon, Colson, and Jaxon; uncle, Christian Capelle; and sister-in-law, Margaret Williams.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 pm and 5:00-7:00 pm on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington Springmill Road with a vigil service being held at 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with John's brother, Father Cletus Pifher and Rev. Father Nelson Beaver at St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church on Monday, May 21, 2018 at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow at Mansfield Catholic Cemetery with full military honors conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Memorial contributions can be made to Southern Care Hospice 41 Briggs Dr., Ontario, OH 44906, Sandusky Veterans Home 3416 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, OH 44870 or Resurrection Catholic Church 2600 Lexington Ave., Mansfield, OH 44904.