Chester L. "Chet" Pierce, Sr., 81, of Mishawaka, passed away peacefully at 8:48 pm, Sunday, January 3, 2010 in his home surrounded by family.
Chester was born in Mishawaka on August 8, 1928 to Benjamin and Mary (Gilsinger) Pierce. He worked for Studebaker for several years and retired from Coffield''s Supply Inc. in 1992 after working for 30 years. He then was employed at Menard''s for approximately five years. He will be remembered for his love of antique cars.
On March 28, 1960, he married Virginia Fries. They have been married for 49 years. Chet and Virginia raised eleven children of which two preceded him in death; Brent and Penny Pierce. The surviving children are Benny (Diane) Pierce of Kokomo, IN, Leroy Roy of Mishawaka, Kathy (Joe) Maguire of Miami, FL, Michele (Gary) Ray of Mishawaka, Susan Verduin of South Bend, Mary (Gerald) Morris of Miami, FL, Chet, Jr. (Kathi) Pierce of Wakarusa, Todd Pierce of Mishawaka and Jennifer (Robert) Miller of South Bend. Additionally, 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren survive. Chet is one of seven. Also surviving are two sisters, Doris Delmagorie of LaPorte and Nila Hartlerode of Harrison, Ark. and three brothers, Art and Bob Pierce, both of Gary, IN and Pat Pierce of Russellville, KY. One brother, Don Pierce precedes him in death.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 pm, Wednesday, January 6, 2010 in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, January 7, 2010 in the funeral home. Entombment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola
The family would like to thank the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. for all their help and support and request that memorial donations be made to them at 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637
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