Kathleen J. Piner

Kathleen J. “Kathy” Piner, nee Burk, 63, of Belleville, IL, formerly of Lebanon, IL, born in East St. Louis, IL on Nov. 13, 1948, died Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Belleville, IL.


Kathy taught English at Wesclin High School, the Department of Defense Dependents schools in Okinawa and Japan, St. Dominic’s School in Breese, and at Mascoutah High School, from which she retired in 2011. During her 40 year career, she was beloved by her students and enjoyed seeing them find success in college and in their careers. She was a 1966 graduate of Lebanon High School and received her bachelor’s degree in English from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. Kathy was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Assn., the Mascoutah Education Assn., and was a recipient of the 2009/2010 Peabody Logos Leaders in Education Award.


She was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia, nee Battoe, Burk.


She is survived by her husband, Lee Piner who she married in St. Louis, MO on July 15, 1988; a daughter, Dawn Wolfe of Birmingham, AL; her father, Harold Burk of Panama City, FL; a brother, Robert (Roberta) Burk of DeKalb, IL; a sister, Deborah Rodeheaver of Panama City, FL; two nieces, Rebecca (Kyle) Orf, and Aimee (Joe) Valero; a nephew, Blake Rodeheaver; and a great niece, Hannah Valero.


Memorials may be made to the Kathy Piner Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o First Federal Savings Bank, 101 W. Main St., Mascoutah, IL 62258.


Visitation: from 12 noon to 4 PM Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 at the Mascoutah High School Auditorium, Mascoutah, IL.


Funeral: funeral services will be held 4 PM Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 at the Mascoutah High School Auditorium in Mascoutah with Rev. Cari Frus officiating.