Rev. John "Jack" William Pilger

Rev. John (Jack) William Pilger Sr. (81) peacefully went to be with his Heavenly Father on October 29, 2016. Jack was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 8, 1935 to Clarence and Rose Pilger. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs until he moved to Hialeah, Florida in 1950 attending Miami Jackson High School. Jack served in the Coast Guard from 1952 until 1960. He received his undergraduate degree from Valdosta State College in 1972 and received his Master of Divinity Degree from Emory University in 1975. Jack married Joan Thayer on December 16, 1955 and they had five children. Jack had a construction business in the Miami area until in September of 1967, Jack and Joan and their five children moved to Manor, Georgia where Jack received a Methodist minister assignment for a circuit of four churches. After serving in the South Georgia Conference, Jack moved to Vinings, Georgia where he served at Vinings United Methodist Church from 1972 until 1983. In 1983, he and Joan moved to Woodstock, Georgia where he served at Ebenezer United Methodist Church until retiring in 2008. After serving as a United Methodist minister for forty-one years, Jack and Joan retired in their Woodstock home enjoying their eight grandchildren, traveling and being active members of their church and community. Jack will be remembered as a loving husband, wonderful father, cherished Grandpa and caring pastor. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Joan Pilger of Woodstock, Georgia; five children, Susan Dunphy (Kevin) of Roswell, Georgia, Diane Hollander (Scott) of Woodstock, Georgia, John Pilger (Holly) of Marietta, Georgia, Judy Williams (Greg) of Woodstock, Georgia, and Jim Pilger (Wendy) of Woodstock, Georgia; his eight grandchildren, Kelly, Rachel and Austin Pilger, Joshua, Matthew and Phillip Williams, Caitlin and Christina Hollander and one Great Grandson, Alexander Lee; his brother and sister-in-law Bill & Leticia Pilger of Naples, Florida and several loving nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2016 noon at Ebenezer United Methodist Church 12900 North Arnold Mill, Roswell, Georgia 30075 with Rev. Glenn Hannigan officiating. The graveside service will follow the funeral service at the Ebenezer United Methodist Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday November 2 at Northside Chapel located at 12050 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075 from 6pm until 8pm and Thursday November 2, 11:00AM until noon at Ebenezer UMC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack’s name to the Ebenezer United Methodist Church – Sanctuary Endowment Fund. Ebenezer UMC

Rev. John "Jack" William Pilger

August 8, 1935 - October 29, 2016