WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Jane Isabelle (Collins) Pierson, 85, passed away June 25, 2009, at Odyssey Hospice in Tucson, Ariz., of heart failure.
She was born in Sturgis, Mich., on Jan. 24, 1924, the only child of Elba and Jessie Collins. Jane loved roller skating and camping in northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula and Drummond Island as a youngster.
Jane worked at the Kirsch Company in the payroll department and retired 30 years later as the payroll manager. She and husband Ward were both active in the First Presbyterian Church, Klinger Lake Country Club and the Elks in Sturgis.
After retirement, she and Ward enjoyed golfing trips, traveling to California for Christmas, and to Arizona to enjoy the warm winters.
After Ward died, Jane moved to Green Valley, Ariz., in 1997 to live in the sunshine year-round.
She enjoyed attending concerts, plays, luncheons and dinners with her many new friends in Arizona. She was always ready to visit her Michigan friends when the weather was nice claiming she never missed the snow and ice, just the people.
Jane was a member of Valley Presbyterian Church and the Elks Auxiliary. She was an American Legion Auxiliary member for nearly 65 years and volunteered at the VA Hospital for patient bingo, and she was always willing to help with fundraising for the veterans and packing boxes for the troops. She volunteered at the Whipple Observatory Visitor’s Center for several years and loved talking to all the people.
Jane is survived by daughters Linda Jorn and Nancy Tinkham-Thurm; step-sons Charles and Eric Pierson; grandchildren Alex, Emily, Jordon, Justin, Nathaniel, Rachel and Tiffany; a and sister-in-law, Jean Shears.
Funeral services were at Valley Presbyterian Church July 6, 2009. Grave-side services will be at Oaklawn Cemetery in Sturgis, Mich., Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. Memorial tributes may be directed to the charity of your choice.
