Justus Pfeil

PFEIL, Justus Mathias
Belleview – JM Pfeil, 88, passed away August 1, 2015 with family at his side. Born in Martin, FL, on March 12, 1927 to Walter Rudolph Pfeil and Anna Reiff Pfeil, he lived in Marion County the majority of his life.

He graduated from Reddick High School in 1945 where he played basketball and football. He then served in the United States Army Air Corps at the end of World War II. Once he returned he married his high school sweetheart the late Frances Lenora Pruitt.  He also attended the University of Florida and obtained a Master’s Degree in Physical Education. He was immediately offered a job at Summerfield High School where he coached and taught school until moving to Lake Weir High School when it opened, also serving two years as President of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. He remained there until taking a job at Melbourne High School as an assistant coach for what turned out to be the State Champion Football Team in 1966. He coached one more year at Titusville High School and then made a career change and went into the insurance industry.  He worked for TAA, Florida Farm Bureau, and then along with friends opened Life of Florida Insurance Company. He retired when the company closed in 1992 and then turned to his lifelong passion of gardening. Many in the Belleview/Summerfield area are familiar with his vegetable stand where he sold produce, most of it straight from his garden and on the honor system.

He was confirmed as a member of the Evangelical and Reformed Church, a proud member of the Florida Gator Grand Guard Alumni, a member of the American Legion Post #284, and an avid gardener. He enjoyed sports, hunting, fishing, traveling, cooking southern food and spending time with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, France Lenora Pruitt. He is survived by his sons, Michael Pfeil, Salt Springs, FL, Gary Pfeil, Summerfield, FL; daughter, Kathy (Keith) McLain, Belleview; six grandchildren, Loni Pfeil of Murfreesboro, TN, Lana (Kyle) Rutledge of Clarkesville, TN, Cameron McLain, Courtney McLain, Caroline McLain, and Carly McLain of Belleview and one great-granddaughter, Aubrey Rose Rutledge.

It was his wish that his body be donated to science and his ashes eventually buried next to his wife’s in the family cemetery in Germantown. An open house will be held in his honor at his daughter Kathy McLain’s residence in Belleview, FL on Saturday, August 8th from 11am to 2pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his honor to the Cancer Research Institute, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Disabled American Veterans.