Kenneth D. Pilcher
May 24, 1940 ~ April 12, 2012
Kenneth Dean Pilcher, 71, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, April 12, 2012, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Monday, April 16, 2012, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Christopher Podhajsky. Visitation: 3-7 p.m. on Sunday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a rosary at 5:30 p.m. Burial: Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary Virginia; daughter, Virginia (Tom) Mennenoh of Audubon, Iowa; sons, Larry (Keri) Pilcher and K.J. (Kris) Pilcher, all of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Joy Cox of Ottumwa, Iowa; nine grandchildren, Ashley (Damu), Amanda (Mark), Zach, Brandon, Jordon, Cameron, Dustin, Keely, and Katie; a great granddaughter, Nevae'h, one great grandchild on the way; sisters-in-law, Doris Pilcher, Carol Pilcher, and Rita (Roger) Sockman; brothers-in-law, Jim Earhart and Ray (Nancie) Stoffel; and many nieces and nephews Ken was born May 24, 1940, in Iowa City, the son of Floyd and Ethel (Brooks) Pilcher. He graduated from Eldon High School in 1959. On May 19, 1962, he married Mary Virginia Stoffel in Cedar Rapids. Ken worked for Hawkeye Rubber Manufacturing for 32 years and at the Oakland Road Hy-Vee for 15 years. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 909 and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and Eucharistic minister. He was very involved coaching many youth baseball and softball teams and volunteered at Mercy Medical Center. Ken enjoyed golfing and spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lowell, Beryl, Darrell, Donald, Ivan, Wilbur, and Albert; and sisters, Irene Waddell, Darlene Pilcher, and Lila Earhart Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, or Mercy Medical Center Foundation.
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Virginia & family-We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We are thinking of you all. gh
Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. Sorry for your loss.
Hap and family
Deepest condolences to the Pilcher family. May you find peace in all the well wishes for your husband, father, and grandfather. He was one of a kind!
Rest in eternal Peace in the arms of the Lord free from pain. Our sympathy to you, KJ and family and our prayers.
Tom and Joan Galloro
Uncle Kenny you will be missed by so many.
Pilcher Family-
I am so sorry to hear the passing of Ken. He was a hoot. I use to work at The Dental Center and he always had a few jokes to tell us. You have my sympathy.
Cristy McNamara
KJ and family-
Very sorry for your loss. While I never met Ken, knowing his son like I do – there is no doubt he was a great man. Lean on each other thru what is a tough time and know that so many of us are praying for all of you.
My sympathy to you and your family.
Elena Murillo
THINKING OF YOU ALL AT THIS DIFFCULT TIME. MAY YOU ALL FINE PEACE IN YOUR HEARTS DURING THIS SAD TIME HANG ON TO ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES YOU HAVE OF YOUR DAD. WE WILL ALL MISS HIM NEED ANY THING GIVE A CALL. THOUGHTS AND PRAYS TO YOU ALL. LOVE LINDA AND JON
Pilcher Family,
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers now and in the days to come. May your memories give you comfort.
God Bless,
Lynn Randy, Ryan, Ashlyn and Ranen Spies
Virginia I have expressed my sentiments to your children via Facebook, but want to express to you and to them again how so, so sorry I am at the passing of Uncle Kenneth. I have trouble believing that he is gone, because his personality was so big. Please know that my heart is with you all during this time, and although I know he is okay, I also know it doesn’t make the loss any less. God’s blessings to you. May He give you the strength you need to get through this weekend and may we all keep that humorous spirit alive in our hearts as we remember him. Love you! Debbie (and family)
The best Grandpa in the world
One of my favorite memories of my Grandpa was when I was 6th grade and he coach my baseball team. I asked my Grandpa to be my coach because he always told me stories when he use to coach my Dad, Uncle KJ, Uncle Trent, and Super Bowl Champion Kurt Warner. I think it was the first game if the season and there was a play at the plate and I got called out. Next thing I know my Grandpa out arguing with the umpire and my Dad had to come out from the stands and get him off the field. This was the kind of man my Grandpa was. He always had his family back and made sure his grandkids were always happy. I know I never went a day without seeing my Grandpa and not cracking a smile on my face. Thanks for the memories Grandpa!
He was always quick with a smile or joke and a smile.
I’d like to express heartfelt condolences to Virginia, Lary, KJ and the entire Pilcher family. Us SE side little league kids loved Coach Pilcher, still do and always will. By association, we love his family too. A small man with a huge heart, I can in my mind, see him adjusting his glasses while imparting wisdom and doing it with his unique delivery, with care, with tenderness, with love, with passion, with all sincerity. I remember a man who loved his players so much that it would bring him to tears and a man who loved his wife so much that he would seemingly speak her name about every 30 seconds. I am very grateful that my twin brother Pat and I played for Coach Pilcher and us “Showdy boys” will see him again someday in the real Field of Dreams.
ybiC,
Mike Schulte
Uncle Kenneth,
I will deeply miss you. I looked forward to your visits and loved coming to see you. You had the ability to make me laugh until my stomach just ached. I will miss your pohone calls, your teasing me. You are a very special man, and I only hope you know how much we all loved you. Aunt Virginia & family, may God shine down on you in the days and months to come. Love, Denise
Dear Virginia & family: Our hearts and prayers go out to you in the loss of your beloved Kenny. What a wonderful guy. He was such a great mentor to our boys and many many boys in Cedar Rapids. We so enjoyed knowing him. Cherish all the wonderful memories with him.
Fondly,
Rose & Ron Denny
Ft. Myers, Fl.
Virginia. Char and I are so sorry to hear of Ken’s passing. You are in our prayers.
I don’t know how I’m going to drive or pick a station on the radio without your help 🙂 That was the longest trip to Des Moines ever!! You were always pickin on me. So I always had to be on my toes around you & I will truly miss that! To a Great Man & Wonderful Father, Rest in peace Kenny! I Love you!!!
I remember Kenny coming into Mercy to visit Virginia or to have lunch. He always had a smile and a joke. I specifically remember the twinkle in his eye when he looked at his beautiful wife! Virginia, I will never forget the “bicycle story.”
I am so sorry for your loss Pilcher family. Know that you are loved and prayed for.
Aunt Virginia, Ginger, Larry, KJ and all of your loved ones, Our hearts reach out to you with Comfort, Strength, Hope and Peace. We cherish the times spent together and will miss Uncle Kenny tremendously. Love you all, The Santos’
Virginia-Larry-K.J. Sorry to here about Kenny. You have my deepest condolences. Kenny was one the best person I had in my life growing up he will be missed I love you guys, Cup
Virginia and family: you are very special to us. We will miss Kenny, his smile and sense of humor. We are praying for you all at this difficult time, our hearts go out to you. Love: Rita, Roger and Ellen Ann
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Larry and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Kens passing. It seems like not that long ago when he was coaching my brother in baseball. Ken always made my day when he would come into the dental office, he would always be in a good mood and you always walked away from him with a smile on your face. He will be greatly missed, your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Thinking of the family at this sad time. I will miss seeing his great smile at Mercy.
I am so glad that I have had the pleasure of getting to know you and Virginia while working at Mercy. I will miss hearing your stories very much and seeing your smiling face in the cafeteria. You will be greatly missed! God bless you and your family!
Great brother-in-law
I used to tease Viola about me being the new favorite son-in-law, but she would always tell me Kenny was #1. I will miss joking around with him and talking about sports.
My Uncle Kenny
Last time Uncle Kenny visited us in Cape Coral, I took him to a softball game to watch my dad play. We had a great time – he cracked a lot of jokes and we enjoyed watching the game. I will miss him, he was a great uncle.
East Coast, Maine
I remember Uncle Kenny and Aunt Virginia’s trip to Maine. We took a day to drive along the coast and view the ocean.
As we were driving along, we passed a couple of older ladies working in their yard. Uncle Kenny said, “What do those two old badalacs think they’re doing?! Aunt Virginia simply said, “Kenny!” I don’t know if badalac is a word or how you might spell it, but I know to this day when I think of it I laugh to tears! We had a wonderful visit and my daughters still speak of his antics at the Olive Garden where we had dinner.
We Love you Uncle Kenny and will Miss You Much, diane
Playing Euchre
Let me tell you about my brother-in-law, Kenny. My mom loved him so much and he loved and cared about her. I can remember when they used to play a card game called euchre. Kenny used to get my mom and grandma Lucy to play with him and Virginia. Oh was that a game! He would tease my grandma about holding all the aces and jacks. And would always say “hey! what you got there in your hand?”. He loved them both and am sure they have already met him at the gates and have a hot game of euchre playing in heaven.
Love You Uncle Kenny
Uncle Kenny
As we gather to honor his life through the years
In time we’ll share stories instead of our tears
A man who loved talking and spreading good cheer
The news of his passing was painful to hear
The love of his family was easy to see
For every occasion, there he would be
I know in our hearts we will miss his great laughter
But treasure your memories till the final here-after
Today will be hard but please bear in mind
He’s always close by and easy to find
Just lean back and focus with all that you can
You’ll feel his sweet spirit and the touch of his hand
Terri Pilcher
Ken was a friend who always had a ready smile and gave you the feeling that he was glad to see you again.
Our prayers and thoughts are for him and the family.
Pilcher Family,
Sorry for your loss may your memmories comfort you in your time of sorrow.
vern and marty
Kenneth Pilcher always made me feel special and that was a wonderful gift. I love him so very much. Joyce K.
To the Pilcher Family, When I lived in CR I enjoyed talking with Kenny about sports and life. I was sorry in seeing about his death i the paper. May God be with you at this time. Dennis Smeltzer, Waterloo, Iowa
Great people leave a legacy and Coach Pilcher certainly left a great one. Ken’s optimism was contagious and his smile and sense of humor made a day with him better. I was lucky enough to play on many of his baseball teams and he was much more than a coach. Ken not only coached but he drove us to games, fed us, and felt very comfortable letting us know exactly how he felt. Better to be passionate and thought crazy than to be uninspired and sane. Thanks you Ken for being a great father figure for me! God Bless The Pilcher Family in this time of mourning.
MARY–LARRY–K.J.–
ROSIE AND I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER KEN FOR HIS DEVOTION TO BABE RUTH BASEBALL AND TO OUR SONS CHRIS AND ERIC BUT ESPECIALLY CHRIS–KEN COACHED CHRIS FOR FOUR (4) YEARS AND ERIC TWO(2)–THOSE WERE SUCH GOOD YEARS AND MEMORIES OF KENNY–YES HE WILL BE MISSED BUT ESPECIALLY BY THE TRAYNORS– GOD LOVE ALL Pilchers
TOM AND ROSIE–
Virginia and family,
we’re so sorry for your loss
and will remember Ken in our prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. So sorry to hear of your loss.
Amy, Joel and Gail
Very sorry for your loss Virginia & family. God bless you.
We are deeply sorry to hear of your loss. Kenny was a wonderful man. He was always able to brighten everyone’s day. Please accept our deepest condolences. Both Cheryl & I worked with Kenny when we lived in Iowa. Kenny you will be greatly missed.
I’m so sorry for the loss of Kenny. I knew him for a very short time, but he was so much fun. Always quick with a joke and a smile. My deepest sympathies go out to his family.
I enjoyed working with Kenny at The Dental Center over the last several years. His smile was contagious and so genuine. Always a joke, and always a story. He spoke mostly of his family, his Virginia. We would always argue over who was going to bring who a gooseberry pie first. I’m sure they will be plentiful at Home, Kenny. Enjoy one for me. May you rest in His grace. To the family, you have my deepest sympathies.
So much could be said…Loved him….Less than 2 yrs difference…Probably see you soon..Keep everyone in line till I get there..You’ll have your hands full with Mom …Mariea
Virginia and family….So sorry to hear of your husband and father’s passing. May your many memories bring some comfort in the coming days and weeks. Thinking and praying for you.
Treva
Virginia, You are in our thoughts and prayers. We have great memories of Kenny early in the morning at Tommy’s. I am sure he will be missed by many – he had such a great personality. Larry & Jan McMann
Larry, KJ, Kris and the rest of the Pilcher family. I was saddened to hear of the loss of your father. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hello Virgina – So sorry to hear about Ken’s passing. Myself and the entire staff enjoyed every occasion Ken came into the office. He was always in a good mood, quick with a joke, and entertaining. I wish all of my patients had his pleasant demeanor. He and your family will be in our prayers and thoughts. We will miss him very much.
Dear Larry, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Father. When I think about him I smile, he always made me laugh and was always so kind. What a role model. Your dad was a champ and a half, we will see him soon.
All my love to your Family!
YBIC
John
Dear Grandpa,
It’s almost Christmas and I really wish you were here. Love you.