Jim Pingel

James Thomas Pingel Jr., 55, formerly of Cedar Falls, IA, died on Thursday, December 19, 2024, in Springfield, WI. Jim was born on July 29, 1969, in Ft. Sill, OK, the son of James “Tom” and Kristine (Thomas) Pingel. He attended Maquoketa Valley High School in Delhi, IA, and graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1988. He attended Kirkwood Community College for a short time before being interrupted by a deployment with the Army National Guard. Jim enlisted in the Army National Guard in March 1987, and retired in October 2008 after 21 years of service. During that time, he was a helicopter maintenance mechanic, crew chief, and pilot. In 2004, he attended the Warrant Officer Candidate and Flight Schools where he was trained to fly various types of aircraft. He also became an aviation safety officer and aircraft armament maintenance officer. Jim participated in the Counter Drug Task Force from 2006 to 2008 and Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2007 to 2008 as a Bell Jet Ranger instructor pilot for the Iraqi Air Force. Besides his military service, Jim worked as a DJ for a radio station in Cedar Rapids, IA, Salesperson at Reed Cadillac in Waterloo, IA and Smitty’s Tire and Appliance in Cedar Falls, IA, Medivac pilot for Air Methods, and owner of Cedar Valley Alarm and Sound Advice Vac & Video. He was also an active member of the communities of Cedar Falls, IA and Waunakee, WI. On October 8, 1993, he was united in marriage to Linda Maiers at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earlville, IA. They started dating after running into each other in May 1991 at Iowa State University’s VEISHA weekend when both were there visiting friends. Through their 31 years together they lived in Davenport, IA; Ft. Rucker, AL; Cedar Falls, IA; Delhi, IA; and Waunakee, WI. They enjoyed traveling, spending time on their boat and entertaining at their cabin at Lake Delhi. Their daughter, Harlie, was born on November 3, 2004, in Waterloo, IA. As a family they enjoyed traveling to warm locations, visiting military bases and museums, water skiing at Lake Delhi and on Show Ski Teams (Hartwick Huskys in Delhi, Waterloo Waterhawks, and Mad-City Ski Team in Madison, WI), watching movies, and cooking together, especially when making homemade pasta, rolling sushi, grilling and homemade pizzas. Jim also taught Harlie many life skills that she may have to teach a future husband someday. Jim enjoyed flying helicopters, snow skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, scuba diving, cooking, grilling, music including Hawaiian radio, Reggae, Frank Sinatra, and Fleetwood Mac, a good cigar, making friends with any dog he met, and, above all, helping the people around him. He was also a man of faith, and we are grateful for our church families: Delhi United Methodist Church in Delhi, IA; First United Methodist Church in Cedar Falls, IA; and Crossroads United Methodist Church in Waunakee, WI. Jim is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter, Harlie; father, Tom (Cathy) Pingel; mother, Kristine Cooey; sisters, Carrie Rogers and Jennie (Justin) Hansel; brothers, Jody and Ryan (Brooke) Cooey; parents-in-law, Elmer and Norma Jean Maiers; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Randy) Hollenbeck, Brenda (Rick) Becker, and Renee (Trent) Stewart; brother-in-law, Dan (Amy) Maiers; nieces and nephews, Zach Rogers, Emma Hansel, Evan Hansel, Eli Hansel, Aubrey Cooey, Kinley Cooey, Amelia Stackley Cooey, Brantley Cooey, Emmy Cooey, Clare Hollenbeck, Jacob Hollenbeck, Sienna (Logan) Fronatt, Blake Becker, Mason Maiers, Zach Maiers, Kenzie Maiers, and Tyler Stewart; many aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends; and his beloved dog, Bailey. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred and Dorothy Thomas, Eulah and Glenn Wyckoff, Marvin Pingel, Archie Cooey, Marcheta and Bill Lux; and stepfather, William Cooey. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Richardson Funeral Service in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, December 27th at Richardson Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service. Interment at 12:30 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2024 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project or a military agency to benefit veterans in your area (American Legion, AMVETS, VFW, etc.).

Jim Pingel

July 29, 1969 - December 19, 2024