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Thaddeus E. Piller, 91

Thaddeus E. Piller passed away peacefully at his home near Ola, Idaho on March 24, 2018, surrounded by his family.

Thad was born on the family farm near Isabel, S.D. to Frank and Jennie Piller on April 13, 1926, where he joined brother, Robert, and sister, Jeanette. In 1936 the family went to Hayden Lake, Idaho. Thad attended school in Hayden Lake and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

In 1944, Thad enlisted in the U.S. Navy and took his basic training at Farragut Naval Station in Bayview, Idaho, then on to radioman school at the University of Idaho. He served aboard two attach transports during the war, the USS Alchiba and the USS Sirona. He achieved the rank of First Class Petty Officer, and was honorably discharged in 1946.

That same year, 1946, Thad married Jean Imus of Boise, Idaho, and settled in Hayden Lake, where Thad was a meat cutter for 20 years at various markets in the area. He also was a land surveyor for another 20 years in Idaho, Montana and Washington. In later years, Thad and Jean were winter caretakers for the Magnuson family, across Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Thad was an excellent athlete, hunter and fisherman, who seemed to always limit out. He relished his hunting and fishing trips, and especially his trips to Canada to hunt geese, and would spend hours reminiscing with friends and family. Thad was a greatest generation patriot, and was selected to go on the Idaho Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in 2016. In later years, he and Jean would attend Veterans Day ceremonies around the area. He attended the Ola Community Church, and had many friends in the area.

Thad was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Jean; son Kenneth; his parents; brother Bob; sister Jeanette; and several nieces and nephews. Thad leaves behind his daughter, Chris (Mike) Samson of Ola; grandchildren, Pam (Charles) Pfennig, Nikki Lempesis and Michael (Andrea) Samson; seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law, Charles (Buddy) Imus; nieces and nephews; and the Hansen family of Montana and Wyoming.

The family has asked that in memory of Thad and Jean, donations may be offered to the Pet Adoption League, 1526 N. Washington, Emmett, ID 83617, a shelter very near and dear to both of them.

Cremation was cared for by Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett.