Michael Thomas Peppers

Michael Thomas Peppers, 81, of Davenport passed away at home, Monday, July 15, 2024.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am, Friday, July 19, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 pm Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Davenport Jaycees Foundation for Jaycees Santa Project. 

Michael was born on January 24, 1943 in Des Moines, son of Thomas and Leona (Nagle) Peppers. He was united in marriage to Cathie Propst in 1968. They later divorced.

Michael was in the first graduating class of West High School. He was a proud Army Veteran during Vietman. He started volunteering as Santa Clause during his time in Vietnam and continued doing so his whole life. Michael was an avid car collector and restorer, including his creations the short-timer and the Santamobile. Mike was the owner and operator of Sgt. Peppers Auto Shop in Davenport, Iowa for 45 years, and owed many drag race cars and stock cars. He was the founder of River City Nomad Club. He was also a member of Friends of Credit Island, Downtown Davenport Association, Davenport Jaycees, River Valley Car Club and was Santa for the Festival of Trees. As Santa he rode in his Santamobile and listened to the wishes of children. He worked alongside Joe Whitty providing a Holiday Party for special needs children. Michael received many awards for community service including the community service award from the Scott County Sheriff's Department and a key to the City of Davenport from the mayor. 

Those left to honor his memory include his daughter Nikki (Scott) Schletz; grandson Avi Goel; siblings Robert (Sharon) Peppers, Thomas (Charlene) Peppers, Patricia (Jerry) Hatch and Arthur Peppers; brother-in-law Steve Daily; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Leona; sister Anna Daily and sister-in-law Holly Peppers.