Denise M. Piel
Denise M. (DeFord) Piel, 61 of Windfall died on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Riverview Health in Noblesville. Denise was born in Tipton on February 5, 1959 to Max C. & Barbara (Harding) DeFord. She married her best friend, Mark Lee Piel on July 8, 1978 and they enjoyed 42 years together.
Denise was a graduate of Tipton High School in the Class of 1977. She worked at Marsh while in high school and then later drove a school bus for Elwood Community Schools for 26 years from 1983-2009. After her bus driving career she worked with Mark on the farm and together they formed M & D Freezer Beef selling meat from their home and also at the Tipton Farmer’s Market.
She had most recently attended Curtisville Christian Church and while growing up she was a member of the Methodist Church and was baptized there. Denise loved baking and cooking and anything outdoors. She worked in her garden, tended her flowers, mowed and enjoyed canning her home-grown vegetables. She always had pets and loved animals rescuing several throughout her life.
Survivors besides her husband Mark include her mother, Barbara Angel and one sister, Donna Steele, both of Kokomo; an aunt, Shirley Braziel, Texas and her extended family, Larry (Janis) Piel, Tipton County, Gene (Karen Leisure) Piel, Elwood, Paul (Diana) Piel, Tipton County and Keith (Cheryl) Piel, Tipton County. She also has several nieces and nephews.
Denise was preceded in death by her father Max DeFord in April 1983 and her brother Doug DeFord in March 2006.
Private services are planned for Denise and she will be buried in Fairview Cemetery. Her funeral service will be taped and will be available for viewing on her obituary page Wednesday evening at www.young-nichols.com where condolences may be left for the family.
Memorial donations in memory of Denise may be made to the Humane Society of Tipton County, 403 Oak Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072 or the American Cancer Society, 5635 West 96th Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46278.
I am sorry for your loss. Prayers for the family.
So sorry for your loss Donna.
to the family , i am so very sorry to hear of Dennis passing. my heart are prayers are with you all.
Mark and Donna I am so sorry for your loss. The picture above is so fitting of Denise! I remember always seeing a smile on her face. Thoughts and prayers with you and your families.
Mark, Barb, and Donna our thoughts and prayers are with you. It was a pleasure watching Donna-neese (as Todd called you girls) grow up and watching Mark and Denise’s relationship flower and bloom! We have so many wonderful memories of that time. Love and miss you, May God give you peace.
Mark I so sorry for your loss. Denise was a beautiful lady inside and out.
Mark, I’m at loss for words. I’m so very sorry. Denise was a very special and kind-hearted person.
To the Mark & the family of Denise, our thoughts & prayers are with you all. I will always remember her smiling and laughing. We met more than 25 yrs ago when she walked up and told me I would be a great bus driver. And to this day , I have loved my job. We shared movies together and lunches. She was a blessing to my life. Rest In Peace In Christ’s love, Lisa & Rick Bunting
Mark-I am so sorry to hear this. Denise was such a sweetheart and she will be missed greatly. Please let me know if you need anything.
I am very sorry to hear that Denise has passed. I was a teacher/coach in the Elwood Schools for many years, so I knew her as a
bus driver. She was always so positive and upbeat with the students. My sympathy to her family.
I am saddened to hear this. Denise was my bus driver for years and she was so sweet. Condolences to her family and friends
So sorry. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Always
Donna, So Sorry. Thinking of you and you are in my prayers.