E.F. Hal Pirkl

E.F. Hal Pirkl, 91, of Clearwater, FL passed away on October 26, 2025, at Empath Suncoast Hospice Care Center North Pinellas in Palm Harbor, Florida. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 22nd at 2:00 pm at Anona United Methodist Chapel, 13233 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo, FL 33774. A reception will immediately follow the service.

Hal was born on February 3, 1934, to Fred and Emma “Dlouhy” Pirkl on the family farm in Swisher, Iowa. He graduated from Roosevelt High School, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954-1956. Hal married the love his life, Janis Pickerill on July 19, 1959, at First Christian Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They welcomed their only child, daughter, Julia “Julie” Pirkl in early 1966. This small family of three lived, loved and cherished each moment together.

Hal worked for Rapids Chevrolet until they moved to Florida in 1964 where he worked as sales manager for Jim Quinlan Chevrolet. Hal opened his own business, Talk of the Town Auto and RV Sales in Largo, Florida on November 4, 1974. After retiring in 2000, Hal and Jan enjoyed their time at their lake house in Osage Beach, Missouri and traveling the world together with their dear friends Dee and Wayne Collum.

Hal was known as a loving husband and father with a strong work ethic. He lived life to the fullest enjoying boating, water and snow skiing, traveling and in his younger years, he competed as a midget race car driver in Iowa. He was very loyal, took pride in his work “doing it right the first time”, and his word was his bond! After selling the business, Hal spent his time renovating their home in Largo, tinkering in the garage and could fix just about anything. Hal enjoyed mowing his own yard as well as volunteering on the mowing team at Anona United Methodist Church for many years. In May 2016, Hal was diagnosed with stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the right lung. He was accepted into a clinical trial at Florida Cancer Center to test a new immunotherapy drug. As everything he did, Hal excelled. His tumors decreased and his incredible numbers are published in medical journals. He was the last living member of that study and he and his family were so thankful for those extra nine years he lived.

Hal Pirkl is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Jan and their daughter Julie; sister-in-law Marcia “Pickerill” Petro; nephews, Kevin Dvorak (Janelle), Craig Dvorak (Rachel), Jeff Dvorak, (Julie), Larry Lippmann, Loren Lippmann (Melissa), Doug Petro (Jen); nieces, Lynn Brooks (George), Lori Morris (Greg); and many great nephews and nieces.

Hal was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Emma Pirkl; sisters, Evelyn Lippmann, Mary Ann Dvorak, and sister in infancy Bernice Pirkl; brother in laws, Ernie Dvorak Jr., Cloyd “Pete” Petro, Everett “Pick” Pickerill; sister-in-law, Mardy Pickerill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be dedicated to Anona United Methodist Church, 13233 Indian Rocks Rd., Largo, FL 33774; Empath Suncoast Hospice Center North Pinellas, 164 W. Lake Rd., Palm Harbor, FL 34684; or Ready for Life, Inc., 2300 Tall Pines Drive, Suite 100, Largo, FL 33771.