Jerome Walter Peiffer

Jerome Walter “Jerry” Peiffer, 79, of Derby, died at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Recitation of the Rosary 7 PM Friday, Smith Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Rd., Derby. Mass of Christian Burial, 11 AM Saturday, September 29, St. Mary Faith Center, 2300 E Meadowlark, Derby. Inurnment will be at Kansas Veterans' Cemetery, Winfield. Jerome was born July 22, 1933 in Clear Creek Township, IA, son of Edmund and Matilda Peiffer. He Married Vivian Adam, July 22, 1954 in Harper, IA. After active Army duty, Jerry worked for the Veterans Administration as Chief of Environmental Services, which took him to several states before finishing his career in Wichita. He also continued with the Army Reserves achieving Command Sergeant Major. He retired from both after 42 years of service. He was a member of St. Mary Faith Center in Derby and was a lifetime 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus where he could always be found doing a service project, tending bar or helping host steak fries. He also loved to help people build and fix things. He was an avid cribbage and pinochle player, always ready for a game at the Derby Senior Center. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents: brothers, Howard, Kenneth and infant brother, John; sisters, Anna Kathryn and Jeanette Peiffer; and a granddaughter, Heather Yeager. He is survived by his wife, Vivian; daughter, Cathy (Bill) Yeager, Rose Hill; sons, John (Jackie) Peiffer, El Dorado, and Tom (Janice) Peiffer, Mulvane; grandchildren, Chris (Silvi) Yeager, Steven (Sara), Ashley, Joshua, Olivia, Jessica and Allison Peiffer; great-grandchildren, Hannah and Sam Bowen, Scarlett Yeager and Bodie Mason Peiffer; brothers, Richard (Myra) Peiffer, South English, IA, and Delbert (Rose) Peiffer, Newton, IA; sister-in-law, Barbara Peiffer, Waterloo, IA; many nieces and nephews and his cat, Abby. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary Faith Center Building Fund, Derby Senior Center or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. View tributes at smithfamilymortuaries.com