David Pfeifer
Elsah | Save
David E. Pfeifer of Elsah, Illinois died on Sunday, March 29, 2026. He was 84 years old.
He is survived by his wife, Jane, and their two children, Edith and Edward. Edith and her husband, Arno, have three children.
David Pfeifer received a Bachelor’s degree from North Park College in Chicago and Master’s degree and Doctorate in Philosophy from University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana. His professional life has been in academia. He taught at Western Illinois University (1967-1974), Principia College (1974-2005) and Indiana University at Indianapolis at IUI (2005-2020). He served in various administrative roles including as Principia College President (1989-1996), Director of Institute for American Thought (2009-2013), and Director Josiah Royce Critical Edition (2011-2020) at IUI.
He has also served the public as a Jersey County Board member, Great River Land Trust Board member, and QEM Fire Protection District Board Member, especially when the QEM Fire Station was built at Elsah Road and Highway 3.
His family remembers his words of wisdom, “Make sure your actions are benefiting others,” “Do the task you are assigned as best as you can,” and “Kindness should be part of everything you do.”
There will be a private service at a later date.
Those wishing to make memorial donations should donate to a higher education student financial aid fund. Financial aid funds sent to Principia College in Elsah, Illinois or/and Indiana University at Indianapolis are especially appreciated.
Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville has been entrusted with arrangements.
Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com.
Crawford Funeral Home
