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Andrew Xerxes Pipoly passed peacefully into his eternal home on March 9, 2024, at the age of 88 with his daughters by his side.

Andrew was born to Frank William and Stephana Joannan (Tejchema) Pipoly on April 7, 1935, in Muskegon Heights, MI. On August 30, 1958, Andy married Mary Arlene Matecun at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Muskegon, MI. In the spring of 1978, Andy and Mary moved their family “up north” to settle into their country home in Vogel Center, MI. He is a member of the Cadillac Christian Reformed Church but was presently attended the First Presbyterian Church in Lake City.

Andy never sat still and enjoyed puttering, fixing cars, repairing whatever (he could fix just about anything), working on racecars and going to the racetrack in his early years, after retirement, Andy and Mary spent many summers camping in Onekama with life-long friends and visiting with cousins, Jim and Holly Spilka also from Onekama, helping others wherever he was, and especially treasured time spent with his family. From the time of his wife’s death in 2019, Andy lived with his daughter and son-in-law Robert and Dianne Bowers. Andy’s family kept him joyfully busy visiting various restaurants (if you knew Andy, he loved to eat), going for country rides while listening to old-time country music, enjoying his grandchildren and family campfires and especially time spent on Beth and Dianne’s front porches during warm weather months and reflecting on life no doubt. Andy “never met a stranger.” If you had the opportunity to have met him, you “knew” this. Those who encountered Andy surely felt his heart, warmth of character and experienced his humor.

Andy was a talented, hard-working man whose gnarled hands reflected a story of labor and love. He was a selfless, giving man sharing his time and talents always. In his teens still living in Muskegon, MI, he began an apprenticeship at Reliable Auto Body and later worked at the Schultz family gas station and garage doing auto body repair until moving to Vogel Center, MI. He finished his work life at Four Winns boat factory in Cadillac, MI and retired from there. During his time at Four Winns, he had the opportunity to meet actor, Tim Allen, worked on his boat and has a picture with him.

He is survived by his daughters; Mary Beth (Kenneth) Zuiderveen of Falmouth, Dianne (Robert) Bowers of McBain, and Sue Marshall (Edwin Shaffer) of Grand Rapids. Grandchildren; Rebecca (Josh) Parmelee, Renae (Thomas) Jakubison, Kendra (Christopher) Jenema, Noelle (Raymond) Wallace, Melissa (Mike) Abbott, Melinda Markham (Brent Barber), Holly (Jim) Abbott, Lindsey Oster (Johnny Carnahan), Paul Jr. (Amber) Oster, Michael (Rachael) Owsinski, Amy (Greg) Voborsky, twenty great-grandchildren, sister Ellen (Frank) Vanderwal of Lake City, brother-in-law Tom (Janet) Matecun of Dublin, GA, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary A. Pipoly, son David J. Pipoly, daughter Paula S. Douglas, granddaughter Christa R. Pipoly and grandson Robert A. Bowers, Jr.

Per Andrew’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and a private family memorial will be held. The family expresses sincere gratitude for the kind and loving care he received by Hospice of MI and Quiet Creek AFC in Falmouth where he assured us, he felt welcomed, comfortable, and loved by the amazing caregivers there, for this we are forever grateful.

Memorial contributions in Andy’s honor can be made to Hospice of MI or Quiet Creek AFC. The family is being served by the Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain, thoughts and prayers can be expressed to the family by visiting the online obituary at burkholderfamilyfuneralhome.com