Rev. Frank Pierce

Marion Reverend Frank C. Pierce, 88, of Salem, formerly of Marion, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 in Salem Township Hospital. Funeral services for Reverend Pierce will be held on Friday, December 30, 2011 at 6:00 PM at Blue Funeral Home in Marion with Reverends Kenneth Dillingham, Kristopher Dillingham and Dick Sullins officiating. A time of gathering for family and friends will precede the services starting at 4:00 PM at the funeral home on Friday. Memorial donations are suggested to Crab Orchard Methodist Church; envelopes will be available during services or may be sent C/O Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL, 62959. Reverend Pierce was born on Saturday, March 3, 1923 in Marion to Ervin M. & Hattie (Thomas) Pierce. He married Irene Edwards on Saturday, July 20, 1946 in Pittsburg; she survives. Reverend Pierce is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Irene; children, Howard L. & Denise Pierce of Cape Girardeau and Patricia Louise & Kevin Uchitjil of Odin; grandchildren, Kenneth & Stephanie Dillingham, Kristopher & Jennifer Dillingham and Jay & Angela Pierce; and great-grandchildren, Kaylen, Kyle, Rhett, Reece, Ashlyn, Audrey and Avary Dillingham. Reverend Pierce was preceded in death by his parents and 5 brothers. Reverend Pierce was a longtime Methodist Minister, who served the Lord in several local churches from 1946-2008. He led worship at Crab Orchard United Methodist Church, West Frankfort Methodist Church, Equality Methodist Church and Fountain Methodist Church. Reverend Pierce was on the licensing board for ministers at McKendree College. He was a WWII Army veteran who served in the South Pacific. He enjoyed gardening and fishing and served on the Mt. Vernon Children’s Home for several years.