Michelle Mary Pifer, 57, of Reynoldsville, passed away on Monday, August 4, 2025, at Latrobe Hospital.
She was born in DuBois on April 08, 1968, a daughter of Joyce Carol (Powell) White of Marion Center and the late William Leroy White.
Michelle was a 1986 Graduate of the Punxsutawney Area High School. Following graduation, she went on to earn a degree in elementary education. Her passion for teaching little ones led her to working in daycares/pre-schools in both Indiana and DuBois. After raising her family, she worked with other children one on one in their homes.
On March 1, 1997, she married the man of her dreams, Mark Alan Pifer. Michelle had a sparkle in her eye for Mark the moment she first met him. They enjoyed twenty-eight years of marriage, worked side by side on the farm and raised three sons that she dearly loved.
Michelle was a woman who truly loved people and lived her life in service to others. She made people feel seen, valued and loved, and in return she was loved by so many. Her faith was at the center of everything she did. She was actively involved in the Paradise Community Church, from teaching Sunday School, vacation Bible school, the Bethlehem Walk, Feeding His Flock, where she enjoyed planning, cooking and serving each month, and she was also a member of the Women’s Service Group.
She had a deep connection to her agricultural roots; she played a vital role in Jefferson County Dairy promotion. Michelle always made everyone’s day at the ice cream stand at Ag Progress Days and the fair when she would stand and scream at the top of her lungs “Milk Shakes.” Her incredibly jovial personality and bright smile could not be resisted. She was vice president of Jefferson County Farm Bureau, and a member of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau State Women’s Committee, Pennsylvania Guernsey Association, American Guernsey Association, Jefferson County Fair Volunteer, former Jefferson County 4-H leader, and a former member of Penn State Jefferson County Extension Board.
Most of all, she was deeply devoted to her family, always present and involved in their activities, guiding them with love, strength and unwavering support.
In addition to her husband Mark, she is survived by three sons, Nathanael Alan Pifer of Reynoldsville, Andrew Lewis Pifer of Altoona, and Benjamin Jay Pifer of Reynoldsville; one sister, Connie (Brian Zink) Lassahn of Baltimore, Maryland; two sisters-in-law, Jan (Doug) Blinn of Tarentum, and Carol (Larry) Shields of Summerville; nieces and nephews, Jacob, Rachael and Danielle Lassahn, Hannah (Hayden) Moyer, Sarah Blinn, Jenalee (Corey) Smith and Julie Shields; two great nieces, Lydia Smith and Lena Moyer.
Preceded in death by her father and nephew, Clinton Shields.
Friends will be received from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Paradise Community Church and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025, officiated by Eloise Kosko.
Interment will follow at Paradise Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made in Michelle’s memory to Paradise Community Church or the organization of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Big Run.
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