Joan J. Pierce, age 81, of Bourbonnais passed away Monday, December 19, 2022 at Riverside Miller Healthcare in Kankakee.
She was born February 3, 1941 in Kankakee, the daughter of John & Martha (Rantz) Webster. Joan married Donald J. Pierce on August 5, 1961 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kankakee. He preceded her in death on January 14, 2018.
Joan’s first employer was Armour Pharmaceutical. She ran a daycare out of her home for almost 40 years. She served 20 years as Bourbonnais Township Clerk, a four term, 16-year member of the BBCHS Board, and over 25 years as the Bourbonnais Village Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals board member. She retired from the Planning Commission and was honored by the mayor and the Board in June of 2018. Joan was a Democratic Party Precinct Committee person for over 40 years and was a longtime member of the League of Women Voters. In 2016, she was honored as Senior Citizen of the year by the Daily Journal. Joan enjoyed cake decorating. Joan had also been a den mother for the Bourbonnais Cub Scout Pack 324.
She was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley and served on the Art & Environment Committee and was a former member of the Parish Council.
Surviving are two sons and two daughters-in-law, Terry & Becky Pierce of League City, TX and Tim & Danielle Pierce of Bonfield; one daughter and son-in-law, Sheila & Pat Martin of Manteno; one brother and sister-in-law, Bruce & Marcia Webster of Fallbrook, CA; eight grandchildren, Marissa Martin, Dr. Moira Martin, Cory Martin, Catherine Pierce, Maddie Pierce, Katelyn Pierce (Tony Nutall), Darian Pierce (Kyuss Allison), and Jordan Pierce; four great-grandchildren, Alaina Nutall, Jax Nutall, Kameron Allison, and Gracelynn Allison; three nephews, Bob (Lesa) Pierce, Jack (Linda) Pierce, and Ryan (Rachel) Webster; and one niece, Lindsey (Kris) McAlavey. In addition to her husband, Donald J. Pierce, Joan is preceded in death by her parents.
A visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley. Interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley, the Kankakee County Democrat Party, or Uplifted Care.
