Donald J. Pierce, age 79, of Bourbonnais passed away Sunday, January 14, 2018, at Presence St. Mary’s Hospital.
Visitation will be held from 4- 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 18, 2018, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley. Burial will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
He was born January 29, 1938 in Chicago, the son of Edward & Beatrice Lewin Pierce. Don married Joan J. Webster at St. Patrick’s Church in Kankakee on August 5, 1961.
Don retired from Armour Pharmaceuticals, now CSL Behring. He was a member of the International Chemical Workers Union, serving as Secretary and Chief Steward of the union. Don served as Cub Scout Master for Bourbonnais Pack 324. He was a former election judge and a lifelong Democrat.
Don served in the United States Army Reserves, Army Corps of Engineers, for 21 years.
Don was very proud of his Irish heritage. He enjoyed traveling during his retirement, including visiting all the United States and Canada. He also traveled extensively in Europe.
Don was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley.
Don & Joan celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in 2016 with a family trip to Yellowstone National Park.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Pierce of Bourbonnais, two sons and daughters-in-law, Terry & Becky Pierce of League City, Texas and Tim & Danielle Pierce of Bonfield; one daughter and son-in-law, Sheila & Pat Martin of Manteno; eight grandchildren, Marissa (Ronnie) VanDyck, Dr. Moira Martin, Cory Martin, Catherine Pierce, Maddie Pierce, Katelyn Pierce (Tony Nutall), Darian Pierce (Kyuss Allison), and Jordan Pierce; and one great-grandchild, Alaina Nutall. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Mortimer Pierce and Robert Pierce.
Memorials may be made to the Presence St. Mary’s Cancer Center in Bourbonnais
