Richard N. Pierce

Richard Neil (Dick) Pierce, 81, of Battle Creek, passed away on August 27, 2013. Dick was born July 27, 1932 in Durand, MI to Neil Spencer Pierce and Frances Bell (Spinney) Pierce. As a child, Dick moved to Bancroft, then to Assyria when he was 8 years old. He attended Bellevue High School prior to entering the U.S. Navy in 1950. Serving aboard the USS Kimberly, he was proud to be a Korean War Veteran. A special highlight was preparing meals on board for President Truman.

Returning to the Battle Creek / Bellevue areas, Dick was employed in numerous positions including a meat cutter, fireman for Grand Trunk Western Railroad, salesman for Priest Tool & Dye and for Blue Diamond Lumber, and factory worker for National Biscuit Company. Dick retired from Kellogg's Battle Creek Plant Processing Dept. where he was a member of the 25-Year Club.

Following retirement in 1991, Dick and Louise relocated to Leesburg, FL and returned to Richland, MI nine years ago and then followed with a move to North Pointe Woods Assisted Living in Battle Creek 4 years ago. Throughout his life, Dick enjoyed fellowship with congregations of Baptist and Bible Churches and will long be remembered for his culinary skills in preparing banquets for hundreds at various church functions.

Dick was an avid fisherman and hunter also enjoyed collecting model trains, matchbox cars, advertising pens and baseball caps, and sports memorabilia. Dick loved to strike up conversations with anyone he came in contact with and didn't know a stranger. He is loved by all and will be remembered for his friendly & fun-loving personality and his great generosity.


Dick is survived by his lovely wife of 52 years, Ruth Louise (Coyle) Pierce of Battle Creek, MI; a son & daughter-in-law Darcy & Donna Pierce of Scarborough, ME, three grandchildren - Jaimee (Pierce) Mills of Sparta, MI, Elise Pierce of Los Angeles, CA and Collin Pierce of Scarborough, ME and two great-grandchildren - Connor Mills and Isabella Pitz, one brother Daniel Pierce and wife, Cyd of Bellevue, MI and two sisters – Beatrice Ann (Pierce) Troyer and husband, (Pastor) Kent of Florence, AL and Neilene (Pierce) Gregorski and husband Jerry Gregorski of Grand Rapids, MI and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 3, 2013 from 10-11 a.m. with the funeral service starting at 11 a.m. at the Farley-Estes &
Dowdle Funeral Home, officiated by brother-in-law, Pastor Kenton Troyer. Interment will be held privately at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. Those wishing to make memorial contributions can donate to a charity of choice. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.