Joseph “Joe” Henry Pilling, age 82 of Hollandale died on Tuesday evening, February 5, 2019 surrounded by his family at the VA Hospital in Madison. He was born on March 11, 1936 in Mineral Point, Wisconsin to Henry and Ann (Kieffer) Pilling. He grew up on a farm with his family near Waldwick, and attended rural school near home.
He later worked on the King family farm and lived with and became close to their family. He graduated from the Belmont High School. In 1954 he entered the United States Marines, where he served until August of 1962.
He was married on June 10, 1961 in the Hollandale Lutheran Church to Nancy Kathryn Steiner. After his time in service he tried several different jobs until he started working with Severson Hardware in Hollandale mostly doing plumbing and heating until the early 60’s when he started doing plumbing and heating work on his own. His wife Nancy was a great help with the management of the family business.
In the early 70’s he started working full time for the Blanchardville hardware store. He installed home appliances, furnaces and did plumbing for many years there. In 1983 he had an accident, and after a long recovery he went back into the plumbing and heating business, with the help of his son Steve.
He continued doing little heating and plumbing jobs for family and friends right up until recent weeks. Joe was an avid fisherman and loved hunting. For many years he enjoyed trap shooting and became quite good at it.
Joe was a wonderful father and grandfather, often lovingly picking on and joking with the grandchildren and always was interested in what activities they were in. He played cards frequently in Blanchardville, Hollandale and Mineral Point. He was a member of the New Hope Lutheran church which was formerly known as Hollandale Lutheran.
Joe was also an active member of the Olaf Martinson American Legion Post in Hollandale where he was recently honored for his many years of membership. Joe is survived by one son, Steve (Mary) Pilling of Blanchardville; four granddaughters, Megan (John) Kammerud of Darlington, Sara Jane Johnson of Pine Bluff, Miranda (Paul) Wiegel of Blanchardville, and Jennifer (Ryan Kumor) Pilling; seven great-grandchildren, Emmilin, Easton, Bain, Brody, Audrina, Rylinn, and Eleana; two sisters, Carole Cassidy and Bonnie (Clarence) Pittz; and five brothers, Harry (Chris), Bill (Jean), Bob (Marcia), Tom (Verna) and Glen (Diane) Pilling. He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy who died in 2003; his parents; four sisters, Patricia Pilling, Kaye Davis, Mary Ellen Ross, and JoAnn Swirczynski; two brothers, Bud and Doug Pilling; and a brother-in-law and special friend, Jerry Cassidy.
A visitation for Joe Pilling will be held on Monday evening, February 11, 2019 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at Blanchard Hall on Main Street in Blanchardville, and again from 10 until 11 AM on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at the New Hope Lutheran church in Hollandale. A funeral service will follow at the church at 11:00 AM. Rev.
Carol Baumgartner of New Hope Lutheran will officiate. Burial will be in the Hollandale Cemetery with Veteran’s Honors by the Olaf Martinson American Legion Post of Hollandale. A funeral lunch will follow burial at Blanchard Hall on Main Street in Blanchardville.
The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www. saetherfuneralhome.com.
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