Rev. Frank Pierce

MARION, Ill. -- The Rev. Frank C. Pierce, 88, of Salem, Ill., formerly of Marion, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in Salem Township Hospital.

The funeral will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at Blue Funeral Home in Marion, with the Revs. Kenneth Dillingham, Kristopher Dillingham and Dick Sullins officiating.

A time of gathering for family and friends will start at 4 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations are suggested to Crab Orchard Methodist Church. Envelopes will be available during the service or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, P.O. Box 411, Marion, IL 62959.

Pierce was born March 3, 1923, in Marion, to Ervin M. and Hattie Thomas Pierce. He married Irene Edwards on July 20, 1946, in Pittsburg, Ill.

Survivors include his devoted and loving wife, Irene; children, Howard L. and Denise Pierce of Cape Girardeau, Patricia Louise and Kevin Uchitjil of Odin, Ill.; grandchildren, Kenneth and Stephanie Dillingham, Kristopher and Jennifer Dillingham, Jay and Angela Pierce; and great-grandchildren, Kaylen, Kyle, Rhett, Reece, Ashlyn, Audrey and Avary Dillingham.

He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers.

Pierce was a longtime Methodist minister who served the lord in several local churches from 1946 to 2008. He led worship at Crab Orchard United Methodist Church, West Frankfort Methodist Church, Equality Methodist Church and Fountain Methodist Church.

He was on the licensing board for ministers at McKendree College, and served on the board of Mount Vernon children's home several years.

Pierce was a World War II Army veteran and served in the South Pacific.

He enjoyed gardening and fishing.

To view this obituary and sign the register book, visit our website, bluefuneralhome.com.