Jeffrey John Pilger

Jeffrey John Pilger, 37, of St. Louis, MO, formerly of Springfield, died on Friday, November 2, 2012 in St. Louis, MO. Jeffrey was born April 29, 1975 in Springfield, the son of Hal and Sue Groneck Pilger. Jeffrey was a graduate of Sacred Heart Griffin High School, where he was an All-City Baseball Player, and attended Eastern Illinois University. He had recently been employed by Rawlings Sporting Goods in St. Louis and was a past volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Jeffrey was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Rams fan, loved fishing, listening to music, and was an avid animal lover. Most of all, Jeff loved spending time with his family especially playing with his niece and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, John Groneck Sr.; and grandparents, Harold Pilger Sr. and Bernice Pilger. He is survived by his parents, Hal and Sue Pilger of Springfield; siblings, Laura (husband, Kerrick) Rahm of Carlyle and Mike (wife, Jen) Pilger of Wellington, FL; one niece, Audrey Rahm of Carlyle; three nephews, Colin Rahm of Carlyle, Matthew and Mason Pilger, both of Wellington, FL; grandmother, Doris Groneck of Springfield; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at Church of the Little Flower, 800 Stevenson Dr., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be held from 10:00-10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at Church of the Little Flower. Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at Church of the Little Flower, with Rev. Msgr. John R. Ossola celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Cardinals Care, 700 Clark St., St. Louis, MO 63102 or Illinois Humane, P.O. Box 512, Springfield, IL 62705.