Jack Willis Pierce

Jack Willis Pierce

June17,1930 - December4,2017

HAVANA, Florida — Jack Willis Pierce, 87, formerly of Chesterfield and Anderson, Indiana, passed away in his home at Lake Tallavana, Havana, Florida.

Jack was born in Pendleton, Indiana, June 17, 1930. He was the youngest of four children of the late Thomas C. and Doris (Hall) Pierce. He attended schools in Ingalls and Pendleton, graduating from Pendleton High School in1948.

After high school, Jack enlisted in the Navy and was based at Naval Air Station Anacostia (Washington, DC) for three years.

While in the Navy, he met his future wife, Dawn Gloria Smith of Windsor, York County, Pennsylvania, on a blind date on May 25, 1951. He proposed to her a week later on her birthday. They were married in Laurel, Maryland, June 9, 1951 midway between their birthdays. Their marriage lasted 61 years. Jack enjoyed telling people that their second child was born on the second anniversary of their blind date.

In May, 1952, one month following the birth of his first born, Jack was honorably discharged from the Boston Navy Yard where he had been commissioned to assist in modernizing World War II-era ships during the Korean War.

Jack returned with his wife and new son to his home state, Indiana. He worked in tool and die at Guide Lamp Division of General Motors in Anderson, Indiana, and retired after 30 years.

He was a member of the Daleville Masonic Lodge (Worshipful Master), Daleville Order of Eastern Star (Worthy Patron), the Scottish Rite, and The Shriners. He served on the Chesterfield Town Board in the 1970s while living on Avalon Lane and Mulberry Road. He was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Jack and Dawn resided in York (PA), Anderson and Chesterfield (IN), Murphy (NC), and in Florida: South Venice, Tallahassee, Kissimmee, and Havana.

Jack is survived by his son, Michael J. Pierce and wife Karen of Kissimmee, Florida; grandchildren, Kristopher Pierce of Oradell, New Jersey; Kelle Pierce Chancellor and husband, David, with their children, Elena, Christian, and Aria of Brandon, Florida; Kara Pierce Lenard and husband, Rob, with their children, Micah and Annabelle of Tallahassee, Florida; and special Anderson Highland High School foreign exchange son, Juan Carlos Ferraris (HHS Class '70) of Córdoba, Argentina. Jack also leaves behind his treasured nieces and nephews, Nyles Anson, Pierce Anson, Shearly Anson Simpson, John Merriott, Marsha Merriott Jones, Kim Merriott, Mindy Merriott, and Brad Hohle.

Jack was predeceased by his wife, Dawn, Dec. 3, 2012; daughter, Holly Ann Pierce-Stummer on Dec. 6, 2016; and sisters, Roberta Louise Pierce (infant), Eloise Anson, and Velma Merriott Hohle.

No services will be conducted per Jack's wishes.

Memorial contributions may be made to Revival For Our Day, Inc. (P.O. Box 482, Parker City, IN 47368) or to Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinershospitalsf orchildren.org).