Joel D. Pierce, 94

Born: July 30, 1918

Died: July 10, 2013

Dowagiac, MI

Joel Davis Pierce, 94, of Dowagiac, passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at The Timbers of Cass County.

Joel was born on July 30, 1918, in Darby, Pa., the son of Howard and Elsie (Vandegrift) Pierce.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, earning the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

He was an employee of James Heddon’s Sons and Jessup Door Co.

Joel loved gardening, flowers, family time and was very involved with his grandchildren.

His surviving family includes; his two daughters Joellen (Leslie) Herter and Donna (Stan) Klimczak, both of Dowagiac; his grandchildren, Connie (David) Sprinkle of Glendale, Calif., Brian (Missy) Klimczak of Decatur, Sheri (Matthew) Ressler of Canton, Kathy (Richard) Niebling of Chicago, Glen (Lisa) Herter of Osceola, Ind., Keith (Kerry) Herter of Dowagiac and Beth (Daniel) Daly of Dowagiac; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth Evelyn Pierce, whom he married on Nov. 28, 1941 in Dayton, Ohio, and brothers, Charles and Marris Pierce.

His family will gather with friends on Sunday, July 14, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Yazel-Clark Chapel, Dowagiac. Funeral services will be Monday at 10 a.m. at Yazel-Clark Chapel with graveside services following.

Pastor Scott Stambaugh will be officiating. Joel will be laid to rest at Mission Hill Memorial Gardens, Niles. Memorials in his name may be made to the family, Sister Lakes Community Church or First Presbyterian Church of Decatur. Please sign his guestbook and leave a memory of Joel at www.yazel-clark.com.