Jimmie Lee Pierce, 87, of Springfield, died at 9:25 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. Jimmie was born June 4, 1921 in Redden, OK, the son of Joshua L. and Mary Hardgrave Pierce. He married Donna Rich on April 13, 1950 in Minonk, IL. Jimmie was born and raised on a farm in Oklahoma, though early in his life he had the opportunity to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals. Prior to his service in the U.S. Army during WWII, Jimmie was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corp. During WWII, he earned three bronze stars and two purple hearts. He attended the Diesel Engineering School in St. Louis, MO and was later co-owner of Pierce Refined Oil. Jimmie was an executive with the State of Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Jimmie was a good guy who never met a stranger and always had a joke to tell. He loved to spend time with his family and to entertain friends. He enjoyed fishing, golf, hunting, and playing his guitar and singing. He was a member of Church of the Little Flower, and also belonged to the DAV, Elks Club and the Springfield Motor Boat Club. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lonnie, Ray, Ed, Perry and Haskel; and sister, Vesta. He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Donna Pierce of Springfield; two daughters, Denise (husband, John) Reid and Delane (husband, Ken) Cathers both of Springfield; four grandchildren, Brandy, Nicholas (wife, LeAnne), Ashley and Shannon; two great-grandchildren, Sophia and Samantha; two brothers, Jay Pierce of Springfield and Clyde Pierce of Muskogee, OK; and two sisters, Thelma Cockrill and Louise Rowland both of Durant, OK. Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Family will receive friends for a memorial gathering from 4:00 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Graveside ceremonies will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at Camp Butler National Cemetery with Rev. Msgr. John Ossola officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County and the Department of Defense. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate, Memorial & Tributes Lockbox, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674.
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