John C. Pierce

John C. Pierce At age 91, of Fenton, Missouri, passed away peacefully in the company of his family, Tuesday, November 22, 2016. John was born to William C. and Carribelle M. Pierce on December 13, 1924, in Council Grove, Kansas. After his family moved to Missouri, he was selected for the St. Louis Youth Symphony Orchestra as a cellist. He was a graduate of Roosevelt High School, class of ’43, and a veteran of the United States Army in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. While serving in the Solomon Islands and the Philippines as a combat engineer with the Americal Division, he received two Bronze Stars for valor. John and his late wife, Vincenza (nee Friel), raised four sons at their home in Richmond Heights. He is pre-deceased by a brother, William Eugene, of South Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Nelda Jean (nee Bates), a sister, Nancy (George) Wilson, sons Randy (Rebecca), Michael (Lidia), Dennis (Rosa) and Richard (Nicole), grandchildren Abigail, Vanessa, Caitlin (Weston) Kissee, Kara, Vincenza, Denise, and John, great-grandson Topher Kissee, and by step-children Donny, Cindy, Denise, and Lisa (Dennis), step-grandchildren Paulina, Josue, Erin (Travis), Justin (Mackenzie), Adam, Ricky, Lesley, and Morgan, and step-great-grandsons Cole and Henry, along with multiple nephews. Throughout his life, John loved being outdoors (especially while hunting or fishing), listening to classical music, shooting black-powder rifles with friends and family, taming feral cats, and participating in gun and knife shows (where he was known for providing a “scary-sharp” edge to thousands of custom knives). He was an accomplished dancer and ice skater, and an award-winning cook. John was made an honorary member of The Knifemakers’ Guild, belonged to the Gemmer Muzzle-Loading Gun Club for fifty-five years (including a stint as president), and wished to be remembered as a “straight shooter.” His family will cherish him as a warm and loving member of “The Greatest Generation.” John’s family would like to thank the staff of Assistance Home Care and Heartland Hospice for the warmth and care they showed to him in the last weeks of his life. SERVICES: The family will hold a Celebration of Life reception on Sunday, January 1st, 2017, at the Arnold VFW Post 2593, at 2301 Church Road, Arnold, MO, 63010, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, with a memorial service to follow from 4:00 to 5:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Stray Rescue of St. Louis, or a charity of your choice.

John C. Pierce

December 13, 1924 - November 22, 2016