John Pifer

He grew up in Wadsworth, OH and joined the service at the age of 17. His proudest and greatest achievement was being selected to become a "Drill Sergeant" at which he served three different tours of 3 years. He took great pride in training young men to become soldiers winning several awards as the top Drill Sergeant of the cycle. While serving in the Army he was awarded 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Bronze Stars, the Army Commendation Medal, 22 years of good conduct medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the US Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

His pride of service was being stationed in Hawaii when it became the 50th state, being sent to Germany at the beginning of the Berlin Crises, being selected to march in Washington, DC for President Johnson's inaugural Parade, being selected to go to the Panama Canal Zone's Jungle Training School where he became a Jungle Expert, selected for the Fort Knox Master Gunners School where he became a Master Gunner instructor to give Armor (tank) training to officers. He was selected by the Brigade Commander to be filmed as the lead instructor giving classes to the basic trainees on TV for future instruction. As he retired, his folder was filled with letters of commendations and certificates of achievement from his past commanders and officers.

His pride after the service was being able to work for Milo and Mark Breitinger of the Breitinger Company for 16 years as a Fabrication Supervisor and always felt that he was part of their family.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bellville and also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9943 and was selected as their Commander during 2012 and 2013, and also a member of the AMVETS Post 26.

John is survived by his wife, Sheila (Kaufman) of 24 years; daughters, Jeannette (Kevin) Conely of Columbus, Judy A.Waldrop (Bobby Ramey) of Apollo Beach, FL, Jackie L. Pifer of Brandon, FL; sons, Jesse L. (Sasha) Keck of Wanooski VT and Brian Pifer of Mansfield; three grandchildren, Jeremy and Jared Waldrop of Riverview, FL and Mary Conley of Columbus; and his brother, James K. (Sandy) Pifer of Ashland.

He was preceded in death by his father and step mother, John and Eleanor Pifer of Wadsworth, OH; mother and step father, Bill and Betty Burns of Ashland; step brother, Donald Burns of Brownwood, TX; and half brother, Steve M. Burns of Ashland.

Friends may call Tuesday, January 13, 2015 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 48 Church St., Bellville. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. the church conducted by Pastor Doug Pretorious. Military services will be held following the service. John has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VFW Post 9943 patio fund or Hospice of North Central Ohio. Burial will take place at a later date in Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.