Obituary of Paul F Pieper

Denville After a lifetime of love and devotion to family, dedication to work, and service to community, Paul F Pieper has gone to rest in the arms of the Lord and to raise his voice in Gods heavenly choir. Born in Wanne-Eickel, Germany in 1919, the son of the late Paul and the late Adele Walterman Pieper, Paul came to America in 1928 and became a true patriot of his adopted country, serving in the Army during World War II. Ever a man of music, Paul belonged to the Mozart Verein, a German singing club in New York where he met his beloved wife of 58 years, Wilhelmina Schweizer, and sang and danced his way into her heart. When Strahman Valves, Inc., the company for which Paul worked for 45 years moved to Florham Park, NJ from New York, so did Paul and his family, making Rock Ridge Lake in Denville their permanent home. It was here that Paul shared his enthusiasm and sense of fair play with the young people of the community as he served as the Cub Master of Pack 117 and the manager of Little League. His sense of civic duty extended to the adult world as well. Paul served as President of Rock Ridge Lake, where he was the recipient of the Humanitarian Award, and as Commander of VFW Post 2519. Paul was also a member of Shoot the Breeze Club in Denville. He also spent his time in service to the Lord, being an active member of the Denville Community Church since 1957 and a member of its choir for 37 years. While Paul loved to serve, he also loved to play. As a youth, soccer was his game of choice when he played for the German-American League. Later, bowling became his social sport, but tennis was his passion until time and age forced him to settle for golf. Paul will be remembered always for his huge heart, his many kindnesses, his singing and dancing, his groan-producing puns, and his infectious laugh and smile. Paul is survived by his beloved wife Wilhelmina; his son Paul E Pieper of Denville; and his daughter Linda Pieper Gronlund & her husband Glenn of Egg Harbor Township. Also surviving are his four grandchildren Lindsey, Courtney, & Jonathan Gronlund of Egg Harbor Township, and Stephanie Gronlund White and her husband Chad of Jasper, AL; his sister Adele Frommhold of Pawling, NY; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a host of friends. Pauls funeral service will be held Tues. at 10:00 am in the Denville Community United Methodist Church, Denville, with the Rev. George Imhoff officiating. Interment will be private. VFW Post 2519 will have a service at 3 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Denville Community United Methodist Church, 190 Diamond Spring Rd., Denville, NJ 07834 or to VFW Post 2519, Ford Road, Denville, NJ 07834. Friends will be received Monday from 2 - 4 & 7 - 9 PM at Norman Dean Home for Services, Inc., 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, (www.normandean.com).