Glen U. Pike

Glen U. Pike, 91, of Highland, IL, died Sunday, April 21, 2013, at his residence surrounded by his family.

Glen was born on November 14, 1921, in Edwardsville, IL, to Ernst and Pearl I. (nee Davis) Pike.  On May 3, 1963, he married Hazel Lorraine Heenan.

He was a member of VFW Post 5694, American Legion Post 439, and Moose Lodge, Edwardsville, IL.  He worked as an operating engineer out of Local 520, Granite City, IL.

Glen tried out for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1941 and was offered a contract to play baseball.  After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Navy and served 37 months in the South Pacific during WWII.  He liked bowling, cards, hunting, camping, gardening, dancing, animals, and loved his family dearly.  He was the best grandpa ever.

He is survived by his children, Nancy L. Buckle, Baton Rouge, LA, Glenda S. Pike, Gonzales, LA, Steven D. (Marla) Pike, Yuba City, CA, James G. (Darlene) Pike, Pocahontas, IL, Sandra G. Spurgeon, Olney, IL, Richard W. (Velma) Palmer, Raleigh, NC, Roxanne L. (Michael) Landolt, Highland, IL, Paula L. (Rick) Moore, Highland, IL, Glen W. (Nicol) Pike, Highland, IL; 21 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; 1 brother, Donald (Ginny) Pike; 2 sisters, Katherine Smart, Pauline Whitehead; 1 brother-in-law, Charles Salmon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernst and Pearl Pike; his wife, Hazel Lorraine Pike; 1 daughter Juliana D. Pike; 1 son-in-law, Roger Spurgeon; 2 grandchildren, Lanaya Palmer, David Glen Valentine; 1 great grandchild, John Michael Valentine; 3 sisters, Martha Johnson, Louise Kessinger, Shirley Salmon; 4 brothers-in-law, Lawrence McCaslin, Ralph Johnson, William Kessinger, Pete Seitz.

Memorials may be made to the Highland Animal Shelter or to the Family.

Visitation:  Thursday, April 25, 2013, 4:00 to 8:00 pm and Friday, April 26, 2013, 8:00 to 10:00 am, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

Funeral:  Friday, April 26, 2013, at 10:00 am at Meridith Funeral Home.

Clergy:  Rev Chris Hill, Senior Pastor, EVUCC, Highland, IL.

Interment:  St. Joseph Cemetery, Highland, IL.

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, Illinois