MARION -- Paul Edwin Pippin, 93, of Marion, passed away at 8:36 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, at Parkway Manor in Marion after several months of declining health.
He was born June 6, 1925, in Sangamon County to Paul A. and Helen (Powers) Pippin. He graduated from Quincy High School in Quincy in 1943.
Paul served 13 months in combat during World War II, in the U.S. Navy while on the Escort Carrier CVE 72 USS Tulagi. His group saw quite a bit of combat action including countless kamikaze attacks. One instance was so intense Paul could see the face of the enemy pilot.
He was later assigned to Officer Training School at Princeton University in New Jersey where it was a common occurrence to see Albert Einstein walking the campus grounds. He later transferred to Purdue University to be closer to his family.
After the war, Paul married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Kathryn "Kay" Waidelich on July 27, 1946, in Springfield. They were married for 72 years.
He worked for CIPS in Springfield for several years before being transferred to Marion in 1961. He retired from CIPS in 1986 as a senior transmission engineer. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf, bowling, traveling (especially cruises), water skiing (on his 80th birthday) and playing the stock market.
Survivors include his wife, Kay Pippin, of Marion; son, Mike (Lana) Pippin of Farmington, New Mexico; daughter, Patty (Max) Borah of Fairhope, Alabama; son, Steve (Barbara) Pippin of Louisville, Kentucky; son, Eddie (Theresa) Pippin of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling, John Pippin.
Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, at Blue Funeral Home in Marion. Military rites will be performed at the funeral home by the Marion VFW and American Legion Posts with assistance from the United States Navy.
For more information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.bluefuneralhome.com.
