1917
John
2010
John Pfaff
August 10, 1917 — May 16, 2010
Obituary ~
John Pfaff
August 10, 1917 ~ May 16, 2010
John Pfaff of Independence, Oregon passed away May 16, 2010 at his home in Independence with family by his side. He was born on a farm in Indiana, graduated from Everton High School and in 1939 from Ball State Teachers College. He returned to his former school, taught two years and was inducted into the U.S. Army in April 1941. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in field artillery and became part of cadre with the 96th "Deadeye" Division of Camp Adair. He married Marjorie Mae Westerman at Fort Lewis, July 4th, 1943. After taking part in two invasions in the South Pacific, he was discharged in 1946.
He started John Pfaff & Co. in 1946 and operated in until 1978. He was a member of the Independence City Council from 1948 to 1952 and served as Mayor from 1952 to 1954. He was president of the Independence Chamber of Commerce in 1950 at the time the bridge across the Willamette River was dedicated and two week later, Central High School was dedicated. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, highest volunteer award of the boy scouts of America. He was also in charge of the arrival of the on to Oregon Cavalcade from Independence, MO. to Independence, OR. for the Centennial in 1959.
In 1965, he was named "First Citizen" of Independence, and in 2000, received the first Lifetime Merit Award. He was named Oregon State Elk of the year in 1987. He was a charter member of BPOE #1950, a member of the Lyon Lodge #29 of AF&AM, Al Kader Temple of Shrine, and the Independence American Legion Post #33. He was also very involved in the NW Chapter of the 96th Division Infantry and their yearly reunions in Monmouth. He enjoyed sports and reading.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie, sons Norman (Jodi) Pfaff of Bend, Oregon, Thomas (Carol) Pfaff of Independence, daughter, Jill (Scott) Peters of Dallas, Oregon. Other survivors include his sister Betty Hickman, Brother, Harold Pfaff both of Lewisville, Indiana and Brother Don Pfaff of Greenfield, Indiana and their extended families. 10 grandchildren, Todd, Olivia, Brian, Cadi, Sarah, Stacie, Scott, Sybil, Sherry & Samantha, great grandchildren, Dru & Oliver. Preceded in death by his son Stephen Pfaff and younger brother Jim Pfaff.
A Celebration of Life will be 2pm Sunday May 23, 2010 at the Green Villa Barn in Independence. Private interment will be at Fir Crest Cemetery in Monmouth.
Contributions can be made to the Independence Public Library Fund of the Central High School Turf Fund in care of Farnstrom Mortuary 410 Monmouth St. Independence, OR. 97351 who is entrusted to funeral arrangements.
"John exemplified what is described as The Greatest Generation; working hard, accepting life's challenges, giving much, and expecting nothing in return"
John Pfaff
August 10, 1917 ~ May 16, 2010
John Pfaff of Independence, Oregon passed away May 16, 2010 at his home in Independence with family by his side. He was born on a farm in Indiana, graduated from Everton High School and in 1939 from Ball State Teachers College. He returned to his former school, taught two years and was inducted into the U.S. Army in April 1941. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in field artillery and became part of cadre with the 96th "Deadeye" Division of Camp Adair. He married Marjorie Mae Westerman at Fort Lewis, July 4th, 1943. After taking part in two invasions in the South Pacific, he was discharged in 1946.
He started John Pfaff & Co. in 1946 and operated in until 1978. He was a member of the Independence City Council from 1948 to 1952 and served as Mayor from 1952 to 1954. He was president of the Independence Chamber of Commerce in 1950 at the time the bridge across the Willamette River was dedicated and two week later, Central High School was dedicated. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, highest volunteer award of the boy scouts of America. He was also in charge of the arrival of the on to Oregon Cavalcade from Independence, MO. to Independence, OR. for the Centennial in 1959.
In 1965, he was named "First Citizen" of Independence, and in 2000, received the first Lifetime Merit Award. He was named Oregon State Elk of the year in 1987. He was a charter member of BPOE #1950, a member of the Lyon Lodge #29 of AF&AM, Al Kader Temple of Shrine, and the Independence American Legion Post #33. He was also very involved in the NW Chapter of the 96th Division Infantry and their yearly reunions in Monmouth. He enjoyed sports and reading.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie, sons Norman (Jodi) Pfaff of Bend, Oregon, Thomas (Carol) Pfaff of Independence, daughter, Jill (Scott) Peters of Dallas, Oregon. Other survivors include his sister Betty Hickman, Brother, Harold Pfaff both of Lewisville, Indiana and Brother Don Pfaff of Greenfield, Indiana and their extended families. 10 grandchildren, Todd, Olivia, Brian, Cadi, Sarah, Stacie, Scott, Sybil, Sherry & Samantha, great grandchildren, Dru & Oliver. Preceded in death by his son Stephen Pfaff and younger brother Jim Pfaff.
A Celebration of Life will be 2pm Sunday May 23, 2010 at the Green Villa Barn in Independence. Private interment will be at Fir Crest Cemetery in Monmouth.
Contributions can be made to the Independence Public Library Fund of the Central High School Turf Fund in care of Farnstrom Mortuary 410 Monmouth St. Independence, OR. 97351 who is entrusted to funeral arrangements.
"John exemplified what is described as The Greatest Generation; working hard, accepting life's challenges, giving much, and expecting nothing in return"
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