Born July 28, 1947 at Munson Hospital in Traverse City to William and Helen Peppler, John grew up in the idyllic world of the East side of Big Glen Lake. Waking up to view of the azure blue waters of Glen Lake was ingrained into his soul at a very early age. John felt that growing up at Peppler's Glen View Resort was like living in paradise.
John was an active Boy Scout working summers at Camp Greilick, attending the National Jamboree in Colorado Springs and hiking at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He became an Eagle Scout at an early age.
Skiing was always a family pastime. Water skiing in the summer was almost a daily family activity but, snow skiing was John's passion from the first time sliding down the hill on Christmas Day at age 5 on the skis his grandfather made for him. This passion continued as he became a ski instructor at Sugar Loaf. He achieved the Level 3 Certification with the Professional Ski Instructors of America and Level 300 with the United States Ski Association.
While pursuing the Level 3 PSIA Certification he became a Certification Examiner PSIA and held that position for over 40 years. He was the first Ski Coach at Glen Lake High School, he coached with the Leelanau Ski Club, was Head Coach of the Northern Michigan University Alpine Ski Team and was the Head Coach at TC St. Francis. In 2014 John was honored by the Professional Ski Instructors of America by being awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award and Lifetime Membership.
He was a Vietnam veteran proudly serving in the 1st Battalion 20th Infantry from 1967-69, United States Army from 1966-69.
After returning from military service and spending a couple winters skiing the Colorado Rockies, John in 1973 joined the family business, Peppler Realty in Glen Arbor, and remained with the company when Peppler Realty merged with Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors in 1997. He remained active in real estate brokerage and in 2016 was awarded Realtor Emeritus status with The National Association of Realtors.
John was active in many civic organizations including the Empire Lions Club and the Glen Lake Association. He became a Glen Arbor Township Trustee in 2016, and served as a Glen Arbor Township Planning Commission Member for many years.
He is survived by his sisters Linda Peppler and Christine Johnson, and, brother-in-law Gary Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funerals arrangements are by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Viewing is scheduled for Thursday, August 18 from 5 to 8 pm at Reynolds Jonkhoff. Funeral is Friday, August 19, 2022 at 11:00 am at The Glen Lake Community Church followed by interment at Maple Grove Cemetery, M109 Empire. Family and friends are invited for fellowship and luncheon at Johnson Park/Lions Club Park in Empire following services.
Memorials can be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church PO Box 353, Glen Arbor, MI 49636, the Glen Lake Community Church 4902 W. MacFarlane Rd., Glen Arbor, MI 49636 or the Glen Lake Association PO Box 245, Glen Arbor, MI 49636.