Rev. Msgr. James E. Pieper

Deceased: 2025-08-01

Diocese: ST LOUIS

CSM Graduation Year: 1965

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The Rev. Msgr. James Pieper was born Oct. 21, 1931, Ordained April 6, 1957, and passed away Aug. 1, 2025. He served parishes for 56 years as a Catholic priest, including Immacolata Catholic Church, St. Mary Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Most Precious Blood, St. Joan of Arc Church, and retiring in 2014 as Pastor of St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church in Des Peres, MO.

Msgr. Pieper received his faculty in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, Rome. He was appointed the Auditor of the Archdiocese Tribunal in 1965 and Vicar for Religious in 1970. February of 1977 Msgr. Pieper was appointed Honorary Prelate.

His most cherished work, however, as it seemed to his family, came through the totality of his priesthood in service to Christ and His faithful as a parish pastor. He regularly communicated his fondness for all of the parishes in which he served throughout the St. Louis Archdiocese. He expressed a particular gratitude for his 24 years of service to the parish faithful of St. Clement of Rome, Des Peres.

Beloved brother and brother-in-law of the late Raymond F. (Betty) Pieper and the late Lauretta M. (Kenneth) Klein; dear uncle of Joan (Terry) Korpal, Diane (Elliot) Korn, Kathy (Bruce) Dell, Steve (Jackie) Pieper, Patti (Ron) Dodson, Ken (Terri) Klein, Jim (Martha) Klein, Cindy (John) Herring, the late Jan (the late Mike) Rochman, the late Nancy (Mike) Lieser; dear great uncle and great, great uncle; longtime beloved friend of the Schrappen family and dear friend to many.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, Aug. 6, 9:00 a.m. until Funeral Mass 10:00 a.m. at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, 1510 Bopp Rd., St. Louis, Mo. Interment Private.

In lieu of flowers, Msgr. Pieper’s family suggest donation to Our Lady of Guadalupe for Life.