Aug.
8, 1928 - Jan. 3, 2010MISHAWAKA - Chester L. "Chet" Pierce Sr., 81, of Mishawaka, passed away peacefully at 8:48 p.m. Sunday, January 3, 2010, in his home surrounded by family. Chester was born in Mishawaka on August 8, 1928, to Benjamin and Mary (Gilsinger) Pierce. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Fries Pierce, who married Chet on March 28, 1960. They have been married for 49 years. Chester worked for Studebaker for several years and retired from Coffield's Supply Inc. in 1992 after working for 30 years. He then was employed at Menard's for approximately five years. He will be remembered for his love of antique cars. Chet and Virginia raised eleven children of which two preceded him in death, Brent and Penny Pierce. The surviving children are Benny (Diane) Pierce of Kokomo, IN, Leroy Roy of Mishawaka, Kathy (Joe) Maguire of Miami, FL, Michele (Gary) Ray of Mishawaka, Susan Verduin of South Bend, Mary (Gerald) Morris of Miami, FL, Chet Jr. (Kathi) Pierce of Wakarusa, Todd Pierce of Mishawaka and Jennifer (Robert) Miller of South Bend. Additionally, 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren survive. Chet is one of seven. Also surviving are two sisters, Doris Delmagorie of LaPorte and Nila Hartlerode of Harrison, Ark., and three brothers, Art and Bob Pierce, both of Gary, IN, and Pat Pierce of Russellville, KY. One brother, Don Pierce, preceded him in death. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. today, January 6, 2010, in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 7, 2010, in the funeral home. Entombment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola The family would like to thank the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., for all their help and support and request that memorial donations be made to them at 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637 Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.chapelhillmemorial.com.