Leroy Kauffman Pierce

PIERCE, KAUFFMAN, GIBSON

Posted By: Skipton
Date: 12/31/2010 at 17:43:43

Source: The Columbus Gazette

Leroy Kauffman Pierce, age 85, of Morning Sun, Iowa, died Friday morning, September 10, 2010 at his home. The son of LeRoy and Gertrude Kauffman Pierce, he was born on December 6, 1924. He was a lifelong resident of Morning Sun, having graduated from Morning Sun High School in 1942.

He served in World War II in the 80th Division of Patton’s Army in France. He was captured during active duty and was a POW in Germany for 9 months. After the war, he returned to Iowa and continued attending and graduated from Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. He was a member and the first Worthy Master of Epsilon Nu Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity in Monmouth. He graduated from Cincinnati College of Embalming in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 25, 1950. Leroy met Nancy Peters of Monmouth, Illinois while at Cincinnati and they were married on October 4, 1952.

Leroy continued his career at Pierce Furniture working with his father, L.R. Pierce and his two sons, Dave and Curt in the furniture and funeral businesses.

He was a member of the Morning Sun Lions Club, a life long member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Morning Sun and served as an elder. He was a member of the Hayes Scott Post 112 of the American Legion in Morning Sun and the Masonic Lodge #5 A.F. & A.M. of Wapello. He was active in the Republican Party, serving as the Republican County Chairman for Louisa County. He served on the Board of Directors for the People’s National Bank in Columbus Junction for many years. He was a founding member of the Keck Men’s Chorus and the Indian Hills Golf and Country Club.

Leroy enjoyed golf and hunting and especially loved visiting with people. He was the 4th of July Frog Jump chairman for many years and was recognized as the first Citizen of the Year in Morning Sun along with Cleora McClurkin.

His surviving family includes three sons, David and Carol Pierce of Morning Sun, Dwight and Barbie Pierce of Conway, Arkansas and Curtis and Linda Pierce of Columbus Junction; seven grandchildren, Cole and Melissa Pierce of Chicago, Tiffany Pierce and fiancé Levi Sheppard of Vacaville, California, Jared Pierce of McMinnville, Oregon, Livvy Pierce and Sam Pierce both of Conway, Arkansas, Justin Pierce and Rachel Pierce both of Columbus Junction; and three great-grandchildren, Ethan and Adel Pierce and Cain Tillman all of Chicago.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nancy on January 31, 2005; two grandchildren, Joshua Pierce and Carolyn Pierce; and his sister, Charlotte Ann Gibson.

The funeral ceremony for Leroy Pierce was held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, September 14, 2010, at the First United Presbyterian Church in Morning Sun with Rev. Mel Miller officiating. Burial followed at the Elmwood Cemetery in Morning Sun with military rites by the American Legion of Morning Sun and Oakville and the VFW of Wapello. The family and friends gathered for a lunch and fellowship at the church following the burial.

Friends called after 2:00 P.M. on Monday at the Hagele and Honts Funeral Home in Morning Sun where the family met friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.

A memorial fund has been established for the benefit of the First United Presbyterian Church, the American Legion, and the Morning Sun Community Ambulance Service