John C. DiPiero Jr.

Age 72, died unexpectedly on September 15, 2021 of a heart attack in Taylor, MI. John Charles was born in Millersburg, Ohio on September 24, 1948, the son of the late John C. and Margaret E. (Flook) DiPiero. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio, graduating from St. Mary High School in 1966. John remained a practicing Catholic throughout his life. He served his country honorably in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and was extremely proud of his service. He was assigned to the 37th Security Police Squadron at Phu Cat Air Base. John enjoyed volunteering during off-duty time in Vietnam, including work for the Red Cross and the Military Auxiliary Radio System (MARS). During his work with MARS, John would run phone calls via radio for service members to their families and friends back home in the U.S. He became so proficient and dedicated to MARS that he was temporarily assigned to the station in Vietnam until his return stateside. Shortly after his honorable discharge, he married the love of his life, Konni (nee Connie) L. Seegmiller on June 26, 1971, having met at Michigan State University while on leave visiting his sister and brother-in-law in May 1970. John asked Konni to marry him at the end of their first blind date; it took 6 months to get her to accept. They settled in Columbus while John attended Columbus Tech and Ohio University, transferring to Saginaw Valley State College after moving to Hemlock, MI in 1974, where he earned his BBA using the GI Bill. He became a Certified Public Accountant and after a bout with colon cancer in 1980, started his own accounting practice, John C. DiPiero, CPA, PC in 1981. He had monthly clients and a tax practice but specialized in HUD accounting of both Public Housing and Section 8 programs, traveling around the state and occasionally out of state, with Konni often working alongside him. In 1982 he purchased their forever home on Sandridge Dr. in Hemlock. Down time was often spent at their cottage at Albright Shores (Beaverton), MI, where hundreds of hours were spent fishing; John cleaned and fried thousands of fish for family to enjoy during his lifetime. For thirty-plus years, John and Chris joined family and friends for the annual father/son opening weekend of trout season on the Rifle River. He was thrilled when in 2021, 16-year-old granddaughter Ashlee joined the camp; the first girl ever! John loved betting the horses, talking politics (always trying to change Aric’s views), and spending time playing board games, especially chess, cards and “ducks” with his children and grandchildren. He was an avid Ohio State University fan and treasured his 60th birthday gift from his children, his first and only in-person game at the Horseshoe. The OSU trounced rival U of M 42-7! During the 2020 COVID pandemic, John and Missy spent hours playing double solitaire and making raviolis while trying to guess who was singing the oldies on the radio. In 2021, the decision was made to move to Kalamazoo to be closer to the grandchildren, but John didn’t get to realize much of that dream as he was taken up to his heavenly home before the trucks were all unloaded. John is survived by his wife of 50 years, Konni; children, Aric (Megan) DiPiero, Christopher (Kristie) DiPiero and Melissa DiPiero; grandchildren, Ashlee, Koan, Veda, Katherine and Parker; sisters, Carolyn DiPiero and Christine (James) Kerr. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Margaret DiPiero; in-laws, Carl and Lorraine Seegmiller and brothers-in-law, Jack Harrington and Douglas Maddex; and a special uncle, Chester Kujawa. John was also known as Skippy, Skipper, Skip, JD, Mr. John or Grinch, You-You or Grumpa by his grandchildren. Per his wishes, cremation took place and a private committal service with full military honors and interment was held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI on July 7, 2022. His final resting place is Section 15B, 774.