Piper

Thomas “Tom” Piper passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Moosehaven Skilled Care Unit, Orange Park, Fla., at the age of 84.

He was born to Edward and Alice Alfreda Piper on Sept. 4, 1940, in Kittanning. He was the brother of Butch Piper and Sandy (Piper) Holsten. He graduated from Butler Senior High School in 1959 and joined the Navy.

Tom married Melanie Wilson on June 15, 1963, in Butler. They had four daughters, Sheri, Tina and Debra, and Rene Elaine, who preceded him in death in 1969. They have five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

He was active in the churches he attended. Tom was a elder for Muddy Creek Presbyterian Church, then a deacon for Fairfield Baptist Church in Florida. He was active in his local Orange Lake, Fla. VFW Post 10733, by becoming their chaplain.

He served in the U.S. Navy from November 1960 to January 1964. He served on the USS Newport News, USS Canberra, USS Bache and USS Robert A. Owens. Tom left the Navy as a junior second class head of engines.

Tom worked as a millwright and electrical supervisor. He was a foreman for the south processing department for Armco Steel Corporation and retired in 1993 after 30 years. He worked as an electrician and a mechanical engineer for Monterey Boat Factory in Florida.

Tom became affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose on April 1, 1982, when he joined Butler Lodge No. 64.

Tom and Melanie moved to Moosehaven on Nov. 14, 2018.

Tom is survived by his wife, Melanie of Moosehaven, Orange Park, Fla.; and daughters, Sheri (Dan) Pollock of Slippery Rock, Tina Piper of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Debra (Jamie) Reedy of Saxonburg.

He will be laid to rest in the Jacksonville National Cemetery, Florida.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.