Date of Birth: April 15, 1937
Date of Death: August 8, 2015
PILLER – Raymond Charles Piller was born April 15, 1937 to Jacob and Katherine (nee Wolfe) Piller. He was born and raised on the family farm at Neudorf, Sask., with siblings Connie and Lloyd. He attended Duck Point School and was confirmed at the St. Joseph’s Church.
At a very young age, the children lost their mother, and at that time they had to come together and help with the household work as well as the work on the farm.
On Nov. 6, 1956 Raymond married the love of his life, Nora Baber, and they resided on the family farm where they raised their four children, Marla, Kelly, Dean and Darren.
Raymond’s pride and joy was working with cattle. In 1972 he became the manager of the Hyde Grazing Co-op. During that time he was also involved with the Neudorf 4-H Club, as all four of his children were in the beef club. He spent countless hours watching his sons play hockey, or rather, fighting.
Although farming took up a lot of his time, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren meant the world to him, whether it was a trip for ice cream, 4-H shows or sports, he was always there
with a proud smile on his face. Raymond and Nora’s doors were always open to the neighbours for coffee hour and goodies.
On May 16, 2005 he lost his wife of 45 years. He remained on the family farm until March 2011 when he moved into a nursing home where he lived out the remainder of his life. Tanner moved onto the Piller family farm last year, has renovated the house and is carrying on Grandpa’s legacy of his love for the valley and cattle.
Raymond was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Katherine Piller; his wife, Nora, May 2005; his brother, Lloyd Piller and sister-in-law, Eileen Piller; his sister, Connie Gerhardt; his brother-in-law, Herb Baber; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Otto and Gladys Baber and Jerry and Elfriede Piller; his niece, Norma Jean Baber; nephew, Wayne Baber; and great-niece, Shalynn Piller.
He is survived by his children: Marla and Murray Minchuk, Kelly and Calvin Steininger, Dean and Tracy Piller, Darren and Laura Piller; grandchildren: Crystal and Travis Steininger, Chad and Rhonda Minchuk, Dustin and Alex Minchuk, Brittany and Kyle Loveridge, Jessica Piller, Tanner Piller and Laramy Hess, and Jacob Piller; great-grandchildren: Janesa Steininger and Owen and Claire Minchuk; sister-in-law, Irene Baber; brother-in-law, Bill Gerhardt; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Raymond’s funeral service was held Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 at Christ Lutheran Church, Neudorf, with the Rev. Kim Sherwin presiding. The organist, Nadine Gattinger, led in the singing of the hymns, “Peace in the Valley” and “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” Brittany Loveridge and Jessica Piller gave a tribute to their grandpa, and Marla Minchuk and Kelly Steininger gave the eulogy. Two recordings,“God Made a Farmer” by Dallas Davidson and “Drink a Beer” by Luke Bryan, were played in tribute. All of Raymond’s friends and neighbours were considered honorary pallbearers.
Interment followed in Christ Lutheran Cemetery with Dustin Minchuk, Chad Minchuk, Crystal Steininger, Travis Steininger, Brittany Loveridge, Jessica Piller, Tanner Piller and Jacob Piller acting as pallbearers.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
