June E. Piff

June E. Piff, 103, of Moline, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Friendship Manor in Rock Island, Illinois.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Moline where she was a longtime member. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services on Saturday at the church. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. 

June’s wish was fulfilled to donate her body to the University of Iowa for medical research and she will be interred in Rock Island National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salem Lutheran Church, the Alzheimer’s Association or to Autism Speaks. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.

June was born July 7, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Herman & Lucille (Peterson-Hjarsen) Hoelter. She was united in marriage to Melvin F. Piff on August 23, 1941 in Chicago. He preceded her in death on December 27, 1990. 

Following their marriage, June and Mel moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin before relocating to Moline. A faithful and devoted member of Salem Lutheran, she proudly sang in the choir for many years. Also, June was very involved with Salem’s vacation Bible school, the Stephen Ministries and many other areas of her church.

A tireless volunteer, June participated in many Quad-City events over many years.

June enjoyed gardening and shared her bountiful vegetable crop freely with neighbors and family and reluctantly with a few rabbits, who would storm her fence and enjoy a leisurely lunch.

She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed them at many family festivities. Her legendary Octoberfest celebration and the Easter egg coloring contest and dinner were always enjoyed by many.

Those left to honor her memory include her son, Mel (Sara) Piff of Moline; Susan Froeschle of Rock Island, Deborah (Wayne) Thompson of Rock Island and Rebecca (James) Kron of Moline; her grandchildren, Mark Karstens of Rock Island, Heather Gray of Rock Island, Deb (Jon) Chambers of Bettendorf, Jon (Amy) Lee of Nantucket, Massachusetts, Justin (Sarah)Piff of Havertown, Pennsylvania, Kim (Rob) Morris of Paradise Valley, Arizona, Scott (Kelly) Thompson of Eldridge, Iowa and Todd Thompson of Bettendorf; her great-grandchildren, Nathan (Morgan) Gray, Jane Gray, Zachary Gray, Reagan Lee, Auryn Boyum, Emily Miller, Hayley Chambers, Sam Chambers, Dylan Thompson, Megyn Thompson, Lila Thompson, Charley Morris, Karley Morris and Lauryn Morris; her great-great granddaughter, Stevie Marie Gray; her brother, Robert (Dana Thirstrup) Hoelter of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Melvin, June was preceded in death by her sisters, Patricia Zaphirio, Emilie Matz and Lucille Lipe; her brother, Harry Hoelter; and her great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Hall.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting June’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.