George George H. Pierce

George H. Pierce, 88, of Coldwater went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at the Community Health Center of Branch County. He was born November 7, 1922 in Coldwater to George R. and Caroline Wilhelmine (Kulow) Pierce and graduated from Coldwater High School in 1941.

In 1943 he entered the U. S. Army Air Force. George graduated from the Spartan School of Aeronautics while in the service and served as an aircraft mechanic, gunnery instructor for B-24’s, B-29’s and as a line chief before being discharged honorably as a Staff Sergeant in 1946.

He married Virginia Lee Smith on September 23, 1948 in Coldwater. She passed away on December 27, 2009.

George worked in the automobile business as a salesman for Paul Maurer Dodge and Plymouth and Way’s Olds and Cadillac in Coldwater. He left the car business and entered banking with Branch County Savings Bank (now Century Bank and Trust), then as manager for Branch County Federal Savings and Loan (now Monarch Community Bank) where he retired from banking as President and Chairman of the Board.

He was active in the Coldwater community serving as President of the Board of Education, Chairman for the local American Cancer Society, and was a former member of the Noon Rotary Club. George attended the First Baptist Church of Coldwater.

He was a devoted family man and loved playing “swing-swing” with his grandchildren. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and his Thursday Bridge Group.

Mr. Pierce was preceded in death by his wife,; Virginia, his parents; three sisters; Onnalee Randall, Dorothy Horstmeyer and Marjorie Pierce. He is survived by three children; David and Karen Pierce of Coldwater, Carol and Kevin Ogles of Whitsett, NC and Chris and Sue Pierce of Coldwater, along with nine grandchildren; Amanda (Jared) Jones of Kentwood, MI, Melissa Pierce of Phoenix, AZ, Lauren Pierce of Lansing, MI, Jonah Ogles of Newport, KY, Samuel Ogles of Wheaton, IL, Hannah Ogles of Whitsett, NC, John (Kyleigh) Motz of Coldwater, Steven Motz of Modesto, CA, Ashley Pierce of Coldwater and five great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at the Putnam Funeral Home on Sunday, September 11, 2011 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.. Services celebrating his life will be held at the First Baptist Church, 102 Bishop Avenue at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, September 12, 2011 with one hour of visitation preceding the services at the church, with Pastor Jim Erwin officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the First Baptist Church.

You may leave an online tribute by visiting www.putnamfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Putnam Funeral Home 517 278-2311

Coldwater, MI