Eugene Charles Pieplow, age 85, of Xenia, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, June 6, 2026, surrounded by family.  Gene was born July 4, 1940, in Hanover, New Hampshire, the eldest of Walter and Irene (Stone) Pieplow.  He was united in marriage to Betty Jo Spicer on September 8, 1962, in Arlington, VA and together they've shared 63 wedding anniversaries.

      Gene lived his early years in Vermont and moved to Wisconsin when he was 13 years old.  After graduating high school, he joined the United States Air Force and proudly served four and a half years.  While he was stationed in Fort Meade, MD, he met and married the love of his life, Betty Jo.  After being discharged from the Air Force, they returned to Clay County in 1962, driving across the country from Travis Air Base, CA, where he had been stationed.  While residing in Xenia, Gene worked for Sparton Manufacturing Company.  He was employed there for many years until he decided to make a change and went to work for Walter Genthe with Hella North America as Director of Quality Control.  He retired in 2005, after working at Hella for 25 years.

      Gene will be remembered for the things that brought him joy.  He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandboys when they were growing up.  "Papa Gene" enjoyed being involved in anything they were doing and also telling them many great stories of his younger years.  He was an avid gardener in the summer time and enjoyed doing work around the yard year round.  As he got older, his golf cart became a big part of his life, allowing him to continue to be outside doing the things he loved.  Gene was a very spiritual man.  He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, and served as elder and Sunday school teacher for many, many years.

      Gene is survived by his wife, Betty; children: Brian (Tina) Pieplow and Susan (Scott) Suntrup, both of Xenia; grandchildren: Scott Pieplow of Xenia, Daniel (Jessica) Pieplow of Flora, Michael Suntrup (fiancé Sara Gottschalk) of Rockford, IL, and Matthew (Avy) Suntrup of Xenia; great-grandchild: Ronan Pieplow of Flora; sister: Carolyn Bohl of Green Bay, WI; sisters-in-law: Connie Pieplow, Lulu Mae Rascher both of Xenia, and Linda Barfield of Flora; nieces and nephews: Cindi Rascher of Evansville, IN, Dawn Cazadd of Xenia, Kerry (Christy) Rascher of Xenia, Tracy (Heather) Rascher of Princeton, IN, Tracy (Danell) Buzzell of Green Bay, WI, and Jenny (Jason) Hagen of Barron, WI, as well as many beloved great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and cousin-in-laws, and very special caregiver, Cinthia Elizarraras.

      He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Leland and Fawn Spicer; infant sister; brother: Robert Pieplow; brothers-in-law: Bob Bohl, Roy Rascher, and Dixon Barfield; nephew: Brent Buzzell; nephew-in-law: Mark Cazadd, and great-niece, Marina Buzzell.

      A funeral ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Frank and Bright Funeral Home in Flora, with Pastor Mike Feldmann officiating.  Burial will follow at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Xenia, with the presentation of military funeral honors.  A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 12 at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to Clay County Hospice, Clay County Hospital Auxiliary, or Xenia Township Cemetery Fund, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com