Victor Carl Peper, a resident of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, passed away peacefully in his home on January 12, 2019, with Gloria by his side. Vic was 85 when he died, after courageously battling illness for a number of years.
He was born on March 7, 1933 to Carl George and Esther (Mueller) Peper in Adair, Oklahoma. Vic spent his early years at Bethlehem Lutheran School, out in the Adair country side, and then graduated from Adair High School. As a true Oklahoma native, Vic was an active member of the 4-H and won many awards, helped on his family farm, and walked uphill many miles to and from school (at least that’s what he always told his children).
After high school, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinal’s farm club as a pitcher. He played for the Cardinals for a brief time. After an injury, he applied to Concordia Teachers College (now Concordia University), following his good friend Ralph Schmidt. At Concordia, he played baseball and served as the editor of the school newspaper, graduating in 1956. Vic met his wife, Gloria, during his junior year and they wed a year after graduation.
Desiring to serve the Lord in the teaching ministry, Vic accepted a teaching position at St. Paul Lutheran School in Melrose Park, Illinois, where he later served as principal (1956 to 1969). In addition to receiving his degree from Concordia, Vic received a Master’s Degree from the University of Chicago in 1962. During his career, he was also principal at Parkview Junior High, Morton Grove (1969 to 1971), principal at Luther High North, Chicago (1971 to 1983), and superintendent of the Lutheran Association for Higher Education, St. Louis, Missouri (1983 to 1987). He concluded his career as Vice President of Development at Concordia University, River Forest (1987 to 1992), and Director of Development at Lutheran Life Communities, Arlington Heights (1992 to 1998). He also served on numerous synodical, district and local church committees.
Vic and Gloria were married for 61 years and he is the cherished father of Cynthia Kovach (Keith), Tamara Dougherty (Jack), Michael Peper (Julie), Heide Hays (Kendall), and Julie Peper (Brian); beloved grandfather of Amanda Kovach Petry (Matt), Jared Kovach (Nicole), Brenna Dougherty Devitt (Jeremy), Connor Dougherty, Delaney Dougherty, Justin Peper, Emma Peper, Ellery Peper Hays, Anya Peper, and Axel Peper; and great-grandfather to Griffin, Owen and Dawson Petry; Kinley and Teagan Devitt; and Olive Kovach. He is also survived by his brother, Leon Peper (Karen); his sister-in-law Joann Justian; and was a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews. Vic was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Esther Peper; his in-laws, Karel and Martha Justian; his brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Nonie Peper; and his brother-in-law, Ron Justian.
Despite his suffering in the last year of his life, Vic’s love of his Lord and his family, and his sense of humor, were always present. He was dearly loved and will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at noon, with visitation from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 410 N. Cross Street, Wheaton, Illinois.In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following
- The Lutheran Home, Pastor David Abrahamson Fund for Benevolent and Spiritual Care (gift designation drop down option). This fund assists residents whose financial resources have been exhausted. www.lutheranhome.org/donate
- Concordia University Chicago, Peper/Justian Scholarship (gift designation drop down option). Victor was a lifelong educator and this scholarship is for students majoring in secondary education. www.CUChicago.edu/GiveNow or you can send a check addressed to Concordia “University Chicago” with “Peper/Justian Scholarship” in the Memo Line. Envelopes can be addressed to: Concordia University Chicago Foundation, 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest, IL 60305
- St. John Lutheran Church www.stjohnwheaton.org/online-giving or you can send a check to the church at 410 N Cross Street, Wheaton, IL 60187