Final Salute

John Richard Pijan, 84, passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Mount View Care Center, Wausau.

He was born October 12, 1940, South Milwaukee, son of the late Leonard and Vernette (Dobberstein) Pijan. On June 5, 1965 he married Sharon Piehl at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau.

John served in the United States Navy’s Construction Battalion, the “Seabees”. He was a member of the American Legion Montgomery Plant Dudley Post 10 and served in their honor guard. He was also a member of the VFW Burns Post 388.

He worked for Aspirus Wausau Hospital as a locksmith and carpenter. He enjoyed volunteering his carpentry skills to construct items like hymn boards, a lectern and several altars, one for a church in Vietnam, and two others for St. Michael’s church and school.

While his sons were growing up, he was very involved in the Cub Scouts serving as Webelos Den leader and Cubmaster for Pack 456, and a member of the Round Table Staff. Two of his highest individual honors in scouting were earning his “Wood Badge Beads” and being selected for “Order of the Arrow”.

His favorite scouting activity has long been the “Pinewood Derby”. After his kids had moved on from scouting, he continued to support the scouting community using the Pinewood Derby track that he built, organizing and running races for Cub Scout Packs throughout Central Wisconsin for over thirty years. The State of Wisconsin Assembly awarded him a citation for dedicating more than three decades of his life to helping the Cub Scouts, and the community at large.

In his off time, he enjoyed playing Horseshoes, card games and working on little projects in his workshop. Singing was another activity that he loved. He was a member of the Wausau Barbershop Chorus and the Senior Citizen Chorus. But nothing brought him more joy than just relaxing with Sharon at the house on their patio or porch, or their time spent up at their camper on Pelican Lake.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon; son, James (Andrea); grandchildren, Alan, Dallas Gerard, Korbin, and Tyler (LaDonna), three great grandchildren, Lumen, Tennley and Aurora, his siblings, Nancy, Susan Brisch, Leonard Jr. (Brenda), and David; brother and sisters through marriage, Polly Kimball, Alice Piehl, Steve & Mary Piehl. And many, many much loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant daughter Mary Elizabeth; sons, Richard and Kevin; sister Barbara Russ and her husband Harold; Sisters-in-law, Carol (Leonard Jr.) and Peggy (David), Shirley Piehl (Tim); brothers-in-law, Joseph Brisch (Susan), Billy Piehl, Tim Piehl (Shirley), Terry Piehl (Alice), Fritz Kimball (Polly) and Chris Piehl.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 30, from 3:00pm until 7:00pm at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau, and Friday, January 31, from 9:30am until the time of service, at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael Catholic Church, Friday, January 31, 10:30am. Burial with military honors to follow at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com