Garold W. “Joe” Pfeifer, 84, of Bluffton, passed away on Friday afternoon, Dec. 19, 2025, at Bluffton Regional Medical Center.
Joe was born on Feb. 12, 1941, in Mazon, Illinois, to Marvin and Alma (Leopold) Pfeifer. He graduated from Mazon Verona Kinsman High School in Mazon, Illinois, in 1959. He furthered his education at Iowa State University and received his Bachelor of Science in animal science and marketing with a minor in chemistry.
Joe worked for Sinclair Oil in the fertilizer division in Mendota, Illinois, Jensen Salsbery Labs in Cattle Bios in Brandon, South Dakota, Mix-Mill in Chatham, Illinois, and Bluffton, Easy Systems in Welcome, Minnesota. and retiring from Wisconsin Electrical in Milwaukee. Upon retirement, Joe and his wife, Patricia returned to Bluffton. Joe was a member of Bluffton Elks Lodge for 58 years, Moose Lodge, Masonic Lodge and First United Methodist Men’s Club. He enjoyed traveling, golfing, fishing, playing cards and cooking.
On Aug. 23, 1959, Joe and Patricia Ann (Weir) Pfeifer were married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kinsman, Illinois. They celebrated 64 years of marriage before her passing on Oct. 12, 2023.
Survivors include his son, David (Heidi Barnes) Pfeifer of Columbia, South Carolina; a daughter, Jennifer (Ben Cruz) Esmond of Bluffton; 10 grandchildren, Ryne Pfeifer of Fishers, Andrew (Jordan) Ewald of West Des Moines, Iowa, Kyle (Dafne) Pfeifer of Chatham, Illinois, Justin (Jonica) Ewald of Grimes, Iowa, Conner Esmond of Bluffton, Madison (Carter) Brakefield of Charleston, South Carolina, Matthew (Amanda) Ewald of West Des Moines, Olivia (Taylor Gonzales) Esmond of Bluffton, Grant Esmond of Fort Hood, Texas, and Monica (Jarod) Brown; along with four great-grandchildren, Logan and Isabella Pfeifer, and Storm (Caleb) Selking and Colton Brown. He is also survived by his sister, Marilyn Den Hartog of Madison; Wisconsin, son-in-law, David (Claudia) Ewald of West Des Moines, Iowa; and a daughter-in-law, Jacie Pfeifer of Bluffton.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Patricia Ann Pfeifer; a daughter, Lisa Ewald; a son Richard Pfeifer; a daughter-in-law, Lisa Pfeifer; and his siblings, Lyle Pfeifer, Delores Bilsborough, Ivan Pfeifer, Ken Pfeifer and Elaine Griglione.
Visitation will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton.
A Masonic Memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday by the Bluffton Masonic Lodge #145.
A funeral service will take place at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 with Father David Violi officiating.
Internment will take place at Goodfarm Cemetery in Dwight, IL. at a later time.
Memorials may be made to American Heart Association.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends may share online condolences with the family at www.thomarich.com.