Ronald James Piffl

Ronald “Ron” J. Piffl, 58, Mosinee, died after a courageous battle with cancer on Monday, January 19, 2026, surrounded by his family at home.

Ron was born on March 23, 1967, son of Vic and Margie (Ziegler) Piffl. Ron married Kathryn “Kathy” Chapin, they were together for 40 years, and married for 35, she survives.

Ron loved life. He had many athletic interests; softball, snowmobiling, boating, waterskiing, and friendly corn hole at the beach. The common thread was spending time with family and friends. Professionally he served the communities of Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, and Merrill as an optometrist. He cared deeply for his patients, not just their ocular health but as individuals, he took the time to get to know each one.

Spending time with family and friends was most important to him – solving world problems at deer camp, kayaking to the sandbar with neighbors, watching the Packers, Badgers and Brewers. His mottos were “focus on the positives”, a phrase he told each patient at the end of the exam, and “fight, fight, fight”. He gave every ounce he had to the people and activities he participated in. He approached life fully committed.

Ron is survived by his wife, Kathryn Piffl, Mosinee, WI; parents, Vic and Margie Piffl, Waunakee, WI; siblings, Don (Tina Braun) Piffl, Dane, WI; in-laws, Dave and Tina Bowen, St. Charles, MO, and Helen Davis, St. Charles, MO; niece and nephew, Sarah (Dawson) Biermann, Wentzville, MO, and Brad Bowen, St. Charles, MO; numerous cousins, aunts and uncles; optometric staff, Hannah Hanson, Jeanette Howard, and Riesa Mungor. Ron was preceded in death by grandparents, Vic and Dolores Piffl, and Seraphine and Peter Ziegler.

A special thank you to all who supported him, his wife Kathy and family, as he courageously battled against cancer. He will be missed dearly, taken too soon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee. The Rev. Aaron Becker will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service, all at the church. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be directed to the family at www.bestefh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron’s name can be directed to Aspirus Comfort Care and Home Hospice, donations can be made out to ACCHS, and mailed to: 520 North 32nd Ave, Wausau, WI 54401.