James F. Pierce, 88, a resident of Mendota Lutheran Home, died May 17, 2015, in the care facility.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Zion United Methodist Church, Mendota with the Revs. Deanna Mede and Michael Morrell officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota with military rites by VFW Post 4079.
Visitation will be 5 - 7 p.m. Tuesday at Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.
He was born April 19, 1927, in Earlville to Arthur and Dorothy (Rosenkrans) Pierce. He married Joyce Buck on July 24, 1945, in Grace United Methodist Church, Ottawa.
He was a member of Zion United Methodist Church. He attended Earlville High School and served with the U.S. Army. He was a member of Elks Lodge 1212, the American Legion and Mendota Lions Club. He served as a volunteer at Mendota Community Hospital. He also served on the Meriden School Board and farmed in Meriden Township.
He is survived by one son, Michael (Kathy) Pierce of Earlville; one daughter, Sue (Ron) Westenhaver of Osage Beach, Mo.; four grandchildren, Amy Finley, Amos Pierce, Gretchen Tully and Jon Larson; 10 great-grandchildren; and one step-sister, Mary Clevenger of Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce on May 18, 2012; one brother, Vernon and one step-sister, Carol.
Memorials may be directed to Vitas Hospice or Zion United Methodist Church.