Obituaries - 2007

Edward Pierce

Edward Earl Pierce, age 71 of Carman, Illinois died at 5:55 A.M.  Friday February 16, 2007 in the Galesburg Cottage Hospital, following a courageous battle with cancer.  He was born February 4, 1936 in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Donald Pierce and Alberta Warner Pierce Hand.  On October 14, 1961, he married Betty Ann Lema Nethery, who at the time was a single mother of six children. He embraced his new family, and raised the children as if they were his own.  He and Betty also had three more children of their own.  Betty died June 21, 1998, after which Edward moved to Carman to enjoy his retirement.

He was born and raised in Burlington, Iowa, and later moved to Concord, California.  He was a welder for several years, and later became an elevator mechanic for the Elevator Installers Local Union # 8 in San Francisco.  In 1978, he was transferred to the Reno, Nevada area where he worked until his retirement in 1991.  He enjoyed watching races, hunting, fishing, and especially spending time with his buddies at the cabin on the Mississippi river.  He was a member of the Blue Devils Drum Corps and Ducks Unlimited.

Survivors include his daughters- Diane Freeman of Novato, CA., Christy Ackerman, Roxanne Ashford, Rhonda Cordova, Tammi McGee, Misty Martin, Wendy Minnehan, and Tracy Stanley all of Sparks, Nevada, and sons- Tim Minnehan of Carman, IL, and Al Nethery of Sparks, NV., 18 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, sisters- Nancy Pilger of Burlington, IA., Joyce Merrill of Broomfield, CO., and brother - Bobby Hand of Burlington, IA., and his beloved English Bulldog- “Mugs”.   He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, one brother- Claude Hand and one son- Mark Rankin.

Cremation rites have been accorded.  As per Edward’s wishes, no visitation or services are planned.  Memorials may be sent to: Beacon Of Hope Hospice, 1020 West 35th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52806.  Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Stronghurst is assisting with arrangements. Send a condolence here.