Terry R " Shag " Piper

Terry R. " Shag " Piper, age 61, of Monmouth, Illinois passed away at 11:55 pm on November 13, 2012 at OSF St.Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. Terry was born on June 11, 1951 in Monmouth and is the son of the late Paul R. and Ida Rosella Skiler Piper. Terry was raised in Monmouth and attended local schools and graduated from Warren School with the class of 1969. Terry first worked at Benner Grocery Store in Monmouth, IL for a number of years, and also was employed as a mechanic at Prince Motors, also of Monmouth. He later worked in maintenance for 37 years at originally Wilson Foods in Monmouth to the present time and his retirement in 2011. Terry was a big fan of dirt track and drag racing. Racing and mechanics was his life. He is a member of the National Hot Rod Association. He loved race cars and their mechanics and raced in Havana, Illinois and Keokuk, Iowa. He also was Crew Chief for open wheel modified dirt cars and raced at various tracks in the area, to include Burlington, Aledo, Donnellson, Macomb, and Peoria, Illinois. Terry also mentored several younger motor-heads in this area. As he didn't know a stranger, he was a friend to all. He also loved to do some woodworking. He is survived by his mother Rosie Piper of Monmouth, Illinois and two sisters, Sandra Hunt of Monmouth, and Melody (Dennis) Piper Britton of Kirkwood, Illinois. Also his "best bud" Norm (Christy) Brakeville of Little York, Illinois survives and four granddaughters Caitlyn, natalie, Emily, and Hannah. A number of nieces and nephews also are surviving. He is preceded in death by his father. Services:A funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday November 17, 2012 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois. His family plans visitation and will receive friends at the funeral home for the hour prior to the service, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Interment will be in the Warren County Memorial Park Cemetery. A memorial fund is being established for St.Judes Children's Hospital.