Dwight Norman Pfeiffer

September 26, 1943 - September 26, 2015

Dwight N. Pfeiffer, age 72, of Mt. Vernon, IL, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at 4:07 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2015, in Good Samaritan Regional Health Center of Mt. Vernon, IL. He was born on Sunday, September 26, 1943, at Deaconess Hospital of Evansville, IN, the son of Norman William and Irma Elvira (Juncker) Pfeiffer. Dwight attended his first eight years of schooling in one room schools, 1st grade through 4th grade at the Hartman School and 5th through 8th at the Martin School. He then attended high school in Mt. Vernon, IN and was a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School Class of 1961. After graduation he served six months of active service in the United States Army stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and later served in the Army Reserves for several years until the time of his honorable discharge in 1972. Dwight continued his education at Purdue University of West Lafayette, IN. He received his Bachelor’s degree with a major in Agriculture and a minor in Agronomy on January 22, 1966. While attending Purdue he never missed a class and was a member of Delta Chi Social Fraternity. Being a Purdue University graduate was something he was very proud of. He was united in marriage to Susan Jo Brinegar on Friday, September 5, 1969, in Evansville, IN and together they have shared over 46 years of marriage. Dwight’s working career began in marketing with Chem-Farm Inc., a farm equipment manufacturer in Evansville, IN. While there he developed a chisel plow design that he received a patent on that still bears his name. Then in 1970, he began his long career with Elanco that eventually became Dow Elanco and later Dow AgroSciences as a Sales Field Representative serving the Southern Illinois region and after 30 years he decided to retire in 2000. He also achieved the level of being a licensed certified crop advisor. After his retirement, he continued working in agriculture as a field representative for several other companies. He was of the Methodist faith. Some of his memberships include being a lifelong member of Duck Unlimited being featured on the cover of the November–December 1990 national magazine and was a founding member of the Rend Lake Ducks Unlimited Chapter, founding member and developer of both 18 Bottoms Hunting Club near West Frankfort, IL and Cottonwood II LLC Club located on the north end of Rend Lake, former member of the Safari Club and the Fraternal Order of Elks. He enjoyed watching St. Louis Cardinal Baseball and Purdue Basketball. When he was younger he coached and managed little league baseball and in 1985 the “Little League Tigers” of the Opdyke Ruritan League won the championship. Dwight will be remembered as being an avid outdoorsman of many interests. He especially loved waterfowl and deer hunting but really there wasn’t any type of hunting he didn’t enjoy. He had traveled to the Arctic to hunt Musk Ox, to Hudson Bay and other parts of Manitoba and areas of Saskatchewan, Canada and many different states water fowling. He also enjoyed fishing, taking trips to the east coast, the Gulf of Mexico and Bermuda. In the springtime he enjoyed turkey hunting, searching for deer antlers that had been shed and mushroom hunting. Some of his other interests included antiquing, going to auctions, searching for Indian artifacts, buying land and developing it into recreational areas for hunting deer, turkey and waterfowl. He enjoyed taking young people with their parents out on the land he had bought and developed, giving them the opportunity to hunt and be outdoors. He loved people and really never met a stranger and enjoyed visiting with everyone that came into the Bonnie Cafe, Rend Lake Sporting Goods and the many farm chemical dealers of the area. He was known for being able to fix just about anything, loved the challenge of figuring things out and enjoyed having people come out to pick from his “Sweet Corn Patch” that he grew. Though he had many interests, achievements and accomplishments during his lifetime, one of the most important parts of his life was his family. He always took interest and encouraged them in all of their many activities. He was very proud of his sons and recently found great enjoyment spending time with his granddaughter, Sophia. He had a strong life foundation and believed in teaching the younger generation the importance of continuing with the many Pfeiffer family traditions. Dwight will be remembered as one who was willing to help many succeed when he saw a need. The many memories that have been created with everyone he had contact with will now be cherished by those he leaves behind. He is survived by his wife, Susan J. Pfeiffer of Mt. Vernon, IL; two sons, Scott Dwight Pfeiffer and his fiancé Britt Jackson of Chicago, IL and Darin Matthew Pfeiffer of Los Angeles, CA, granddaughter, Sophia Rene’ Pfeiffer of Chicago, IL; brother and sister-in-law, Gene F. and Jeanne Pfeiffer of Evansville, IN; nephew, Brandon Pfeiffer and his wife Charlotte of Mt. Vernon, IN; two nieces, Andrea Siener and her husband Jeff of Fort Collins, CO and Colette Pfeiffer of Los Angeles, CA; mother-in-law, Imogene Brinegar of Mt. Vernon, IL, other extended family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father in 1974 and his mother in 2012. Arrangements for Dwight N. Pfeiffer were entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion, IL. The time of the visitation was from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2015, at the funeral home. During the time of visitation a "Reflection of Life" DVD Memorial Tribute featuring special people, places and events of Dwight's life was presented to the family and friends. Following the visitation a time of remembrance and sharing was at 7:00 p.m. Some of those presenting comments were James Cabell, Susan Kehrt, Scott Pfeiffer and many more that were in attendance. The eulogy was presented by Dwight’s brother, Gene Pfeiffer followed by Pastor Jason Newell presenting closing personal comments. The service concluded with the presentation of the recorded vocal musical selection “Go Rest High on That Mountain” by Vince Gill. Interment was private on Friday, October 2, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. in Immanuel United Church of Christ Cemetery northeast of Mt. Vernon, IN with Pastor Jason Newell presiding. Pallbearers were Scott Pfeiffer, Darin Pfeiffer, Alan Juncker, Kim Seifert, Greg Seifert, Richard Pfeiffer, Tom Junker and Gaylon Pfeiffer. Military honors were accorded at the cemetery by members of the Owen Dunn American Legion Post No. 5 of Mt. Vernon, IN and members of the IL Army National Guard of Marion, IL. Following the committal service at the cemetery the family met at Dwight’s brother, Gene Pfeifer’s home for a meal and continued time of fellowship and support. For those who preferred, memorial contributions were made to “Pediatric Cancer Foundation” and mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959. Memorial envelopes were available at the funeral home. For additional information please call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.