Elverado School Chief Jim Piper: In Loving Memory

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Jim Piper, whose life well-lived included an unprecedented career as superintendent of the Elverado school district and a world class marriage with beloved wife Donna, died Monday night at his home. He was 64. Funeral arrangements are pending at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin. Piper was diagnosed with abdominal cancer in April 2001 and through unspeakable personal trials continued his role at the helm of a high quality Elverado school system. He died at approximately 10:30 p.m. at his Elkville home. The same professional demeanor that guided his personal, military and educational life followed him into retirement. In an interview at the time of his retirement, Piper said education should be all about the kids, adding that too often that's no the case. His cancer diagnosis came during a routine screening for a planned hernia operation. For Piper, the disease was unchartered waters, but he pledged to give his wife, family and doctors his all. He did that. Recently, doctors feared his death would come far sooner than it did. His memory lives. Jim and wife Donna were one of the most wholesome administrative teams in education. He could be a man of few words, but all who knew him understood that every word counted.