Obituary for Paul E. "Zip" Piper Sr.
Paul E. Piper, Sr., 80, of Shippensburg, departed this life on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at his home.
He was born on June 22, 1938, in Shippensburg, the son of the late Paul W. and Violet L. Diebert Piper. He married Katherine R. Fontana on March 11, 1970 in Rome, NY.
Paul was a U.S. Air Force veteran, attaining the rank of TSgt, and working as an Aircraft Mechanic and Maintenance Technician. He enlisted on May 18, 1959 and honorably discharged on July 31, 1976. Upon being discharged, Paul then worked as an Ammunition Handler at the Letterkenny Army Depot, retiring in 1998. He really enjoyed his time in the military, especially all of the friendships that he made, as well as the travel and adventure that came with serving his country.
He was a member of the Durff-Kuhn V.F.W. Post #6168 and the Oscar M. Hykes American Legion Post #223, both of Shippensburg. In his free time Paul enjoyed the outdoors, both hunting and fishing. He loved animals and was known to “adopt” some wildlife from time to time. Paul was also an excellent gardener and could grow just about anything. He was an avid reader and loved to read most anything. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Paul had read thousands of books. And the fascinating thing was that he could remember them in great detail. Paul also enjoyed watching football and baseball, most often the Washington Nationals. He was the type of guy that never met a stranger and when you stopped by for a visit, he would make sure that you didn’t leave hungry.
In addition to his wife of forty-nine years, Katherine, Paul is survived by two sons, John W. (Rebecca) Piper of Shippensburg and Paul E. Piper, Jr., of Edmond, OK; two daughters, Cheri D. (Leroy) Reece of Luther, OK and Penny J. Piper of Albuquerque, NM; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Chamberlin of Chambersburg and Thelma (Earl) Barrick of Lurgan; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by three sisters, Vivian Gilbert, Doris Glessner, and Karen Varner; and one brother, John Piper.
His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, January 15, 2018 at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg. Pastor Deborah Ryder will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in the Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, at 2:00 p.m. Viewing will be Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
He was born on June 22, 1938, in Shippensburg, the son of the late Paul W. and Violet L. Diebert Piper. He married Katherine R. Fontana on March 11, 1970 in Rome, NY.
Paul was a U.S. Air Force veteran, attaining the rank of TSgt, and working as an Aircraft Mechanic and Maintenance Technician. He enlisted on May 18, 1959 and honorably discharged on July 31, 1976. Upon being discharged, Paul then worked as an Ammunition Handler at the Letterkenny Army Depot, retiring in 1998. He really enjoyed his time in the military, especially all of the friendships that he made, as well as the travel and adventure that came with serving his country.
He was a member of the Durff-Kuhn V.F.W. Post #6168 and the Oscar M. Hykes American Legion Post #223, both of Shippensburg. In his free time Paul enjoyed the outdoors, both hunting and fishing. He loved animals and was known to “adopt” some wildlife from time to time. Paul was also an excellent gardener and could grow just about anything. He was an avid reader and loved to read most anything. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Paul had read thousands of books. And the fascinating thing was that he could remember them in great detail. Paul also enjoyed watching football and baseball, most often the Washington Nationals. He was the type of guy that never met a stranger and when you stopped by for a visit, he would make sure that you didn’t leave hungry.
In addition to his wife of forty-nine years, Katherine, Paul is survived by two sons, John W. (Rebecca) Piper of Shippensburg and Paul E. Piper, Jr., of Edmond, OK; two daughters, Cheri D. (Leroy) Reece of Luther, OK and Penny J. Piper of Albuquerque, NM; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Chamberlin of Chambersburg and Thelma (Earl) Barrick of Lurgan; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Paul was preceded in death by three sisters, Vivian Gilbert, Doris Glessner, and Karen Varner; and one brother, John Piper.
His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, January 15, 2018 at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg. Pastor Deborah Ryder will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow in the Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, at 2:00 p.m. Viewing will be Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.