"I thought I was all cried out until I read the tribute left by our family and friends. There isn't much I can add to describe Jon. I can only add my feelings since Jon's passing. It is bittersweet. I love and miss him so much, but just as I told Jon it was time to let go as I held his hand as he passed, I too must let him go..but I will never forget him. Jon was the best friend a person could ever have. He was the most honest, innocent, loving, forgiving, non-judgemental person I have ever met. Jon, thank you for being my big brother. I love you. "
In loving memory of
Jon C. Pieplow
June 27, 1940 - July 11, 2009
BRITT - Jon C. Pieplow, 69, of Britt died Saturday (July 11, 2009) at his brother's home west of Britt.
Funeral services will be held 7 P.M., Tuesday at the Cataldo Funeral Home in Britt with Rev. Ronald McKee officiating. Burial will be Thursday at Arlington Park Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI.
Visitation will be held from 5 P.M. until service time Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Jon's name to the Britt Zion Church of the Nazarene or the United Cerebral Palsy Association.
Jon Charles Pieplow, the son of Charles and Doris (Ingbretson) Pieplow, was born June 27, 1940 in Milwaukee, WI. He was born severely handicapped but taught himself to accomplish tasks to allow himself to live independently for many years. Even though his disabilities may have limited him somewhat he truly cared about people and volunteered his time to help others. Jon was named Volunteer of the Year in 1989 by the YMCA of Milwaukee. He had hoped to one day become a volunteer at the hospital in Britt. Jon was an accomplished person and performed tasks such as knitting word search books, crossword puzzles and building model cars and planes with the use of only one arm. Jon loved his TV, trains and Play Station. God's promise of Jon one day having two good legs and a good left arm have now been fulfilled. Praise God.
He is survived by his brother, Paul (Cindy) Pieplow of Britt; nephews, Jeff Gillan of Las Vegas, NV, Clayton (Stef) Douglas of Alameda, CA, and Ryan Pieplow Milwaukee, WI; a niece, Karen (Eric) Glad and their daughter, Elizabeth, of Appleton, WI; an uncle, Otto Von Bargen of Greenfield, WI; and many cousins and friends.
Jon was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Karen Gillan.
Many thanks to his sister-in-law and best friend, Cindy Pieplow, who was always there to comfort him at his bedside in Jon's final days and minutes. Also thank you to all of the staff at Hospice of North Iowa and his friends and family who provided support and prayers.
Tributes
"Amen, Jeff."
"I've been thinking about my Uncle Jon nonstop for days, ever since I received the news from Paul and Cindy that Jon was beginning a rapid decline. He is in a much better place now, free of the wheelchair and running free, and probably in a boat with Grandma and Grandpa, fishing somewhere. Mom's probably in there with them. I miss them all. Some of my fondest memories as a boy will always be the house on Oak Park Court, with Grandma in the kitchen, and me upstairs with my Uncles Jon and Paul. They were both, really, my big brothers. How I loved my Uncle Jon: for all the challenges he faced, he never complained. What a spirit that man had; each step for him was a victory. He loved to build things, and I got my love of building models from him. I loved hanging out in Jon's bedroom: he'd be playing records, or building something, and I'd just lay on the bed, and watch. I loved that. And how can I ever forget our road trip to Springfield in the spring of '67? Grandma, Jon, Paul and myself piled in the car and headed south to see Lincoln. It will go down in family lore that we got so low on change on the Illinois Turnpike that pretty soon the tollbooths would start getting Grandma's chocolate chip cookies - the best cookies God ever created. (We never got that low, although I'm sure we finished off the cookies in short order.) Jon loved that trip, and I loved being with him. I still have the pictures. I will always remember a man of incredibly kind spirit, who would look at you with a wonderful smile. We should all be so giving and kind as that man was. The world was a better place because he was in it, and my life was made all the richer because he was my Uncle. I miss you, Jon. I will love you forever. Jeff "
"Dear Cindy and Paul, I am so sorry to hear of Jonā??s passing. Although I did not get to know him all that well, the times we did spend together were always a pleasure and are fond memories of mine. I have nothing but the deepest respect and admiration for the care and love that you and your family showed Jon so unconditionally and unassumingly. It brings a smile to my face to think of Jon running around in Heaven, watching down on us with the rest of the family. Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do to help. Love and best wishes from CT, Jenna "
"Dear Cousins Paul and Cindy, May Jesus dearly bless you both for the care you gave to Jon and the smiles you put on his face. I so admire and respect you both for stepping to the plate and being there for him after Aunt Dorie passed. I treasure the memories of the months I lived with you all on Oak Park Court. All us 'cousins' have wonderful memories of the wonderful dinners that were held at Aunt Dori's house with you boys. May the peace of the Comforter surround you while you manage these last moments. Love and a Hug from Cousin Tina"
"Paul and Cindy, Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I hope all of your memories with him are comforting. Love, Emmy"
"Paul and Cindy, I have so many fine memories of our childhood together, playing in your large back yard in West Allis with Jon, and his always happy and joyful presence at our various family events: baptisms, graduations, weddings. I remember that he chose a special gift for me for my high school graduation: a pair of very fine knee-high white socks. I wore them until they fell apart! When I spoke with Jon last week he sounded so alert. He even remembered my animals. He was a wonderful man and we will all miss him."
"God's peace to Jon..."
"Paul and Cindy, You and your family are in our thoughs and prayers. In the little ride that Jon and I had together he was such a joy. He was full of life and just glowed whenever your name was brought up. Yall were very special and dear to him! May the special memories help guide you through this difficult time. "