WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Ward Duane Pierce was born on Aug. 5, 1930 in Grand Rapids, MI the son of Ward F. and Mary E. Pierce. He went home to the Lord on Sunday Dec. 2, 2012 at Three Rivers Health following a brief illness. Ward was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; two wives, Joan (Holcomb) Pierce and Muriel (Casteel) Pierce. He is survived by two daughters, Melody Mitchell of White Cloud and Michelle (Dan) Robrahn of Middleville; a sister, Bette Zies of Burton, TX; eleven grandchildren; cousins and in-laws.
Ward was a loving husband and father. After a variety of other occupations, he answered the Lord’s call to the ordained ministry in 1967, and served faithfully in several United Methodist Churches. He held several District positions within the West Michigan Conference as well as the General Church as Disaster Response Coordinator. He also served as Chaplain in the United States Corps of Chaplains, and the Free and Accepted Masons. He was active in service organizations in all of the communities in which he served and was an instructor for the American Red Cross for over 30 years.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday Dec. 9, 2012 at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon, and where a Masonic Rite will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday by F & AM Lodge #137.
The first of two memorial services will take place 11 a.m. on Monday Dec. 10, 2012 at the Mendon United Methodist Church. A second memorial service will take place 11 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 11, 2012 at at the Lakewood United Methodist Church in Lake Odessa with Rev. George Speas, Rev. John Wait, and District Superintendant, Rev. Tamara Williams officiating. His ashes will later be interred in Sherman-Mesick Cemetery.
It is suggested that memorial donations be directed to any of the following United Methodist Churches: Mesick, Harrietta, Brethren, Lake City, Wesley Park, Buchanan, Lakewood, Mendon, West Mendon, or to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). An online register is available and condolences may be left for his family at www.eickhofffuneralhome
