Eugene G. Pike

Eugene Gordon Pike, 82, of Mascoutah, IL, born July 12, 1928 in Waukesha, WI, died Monday, January 31, 2011 at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.


He joined the Merchant Marines at an early age and then spent over 24 years in the Air Force, first making Technical Sergeant (Enlisted) and then becoming an officer. He retired at the rank of Major in 1970; a veteran of WW II, Korean War and Vietnam War. He then helped his father-in-law farm; managed Mr. Drumstick restaurant in Mascoutah for a number of years; was manager of the Malibu Apartments; and worked at both Mascoutah car washes.


He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and served as a treasurer for several years. He was an active member of Mascoutah Evening Lions for many years, where he served as secretary; also a member of the American Legion Post 292, Mascoutah. He was artistic and enjoyed bowling and watching his daughter Melanie’s bowling team; fishing especially with daughter Courtney; supported Courtney’s Khoury League Softball; and in the past few years, watching golf and the History channel; being with their dogs Holly and Phoebe, as well as reading the paper every day.


He was preceded in death by his parents, William F. Pike and Hilda (Helen) Schroeder Pike. He was the youngest of a “yours, mine, and ours” family of twenty one children, all of whom preceded him in death except one sister. He is reunited with his dear brother Floyd, Floyd’s wife, Dorothy, and his brother-in-law, Joseph Giacolone. He was also preceded by his father-in-law, Russel Klingelhoefer and brother-in-law, Robert Klingelhoefer.


He is survived by his wife, Glenda (Klingelhoefer) Pike, whom he married on July 12, 1968, in Mascoutah, IL; four children, Terri (Charles) Setzler of Prosperity, SC, Jeffrey (Cindy) Pike of Summerville, SC, Melanie (Charlie) Bowline of Las Vegas, NV, and Courtney Pike of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren, Justin (Megan) Setzler, Garrett(Tracy) Setzler, Brett Setzler and Grayson Pike all of South Carolina, Sydney, Allyson, Megyn, and Tyler Bowline of Las Vegas, NV; great-grandchildren, Walker, Cale, and Everett Setzler of South Carolina; a sister, Hildegarde Giacalone of Muskego Beach, WI; mother-in-law, Mary Lou Klingelhoefer of Mascoutah, IL; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marlene (Ernie) Lockwood, Karen (Don) Schrader, Cheryl (Tom) Sax, and Jean (Ray) Kemezys, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and friends.


Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church Preschool Window Fund, 101 South Railway, Mascoutah, IL 62258.


Visitation: visitation will be from 4 to 9 PM Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL, and from 9 to 10 AM Friday, February 4, 2011 at Zion Lutheran Church, Mascoutah, IL.


Funeral: funeral services will be held 10 AM Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 at Zion Lutheran Church in Mascoutah with Pastor Kirk Clayton officiating. Interment will be in Mascoutah City Cemetery, Mascoutah, IL.