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Funeral: 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora
Visitation: 5 until 8 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home
Interment: Foster Hill (Mt. Zion) Cemetery
Gary Wayne Pearce, age 72, of Flora, Illinois, heard the divine music that he’d long been listening for, and began dancing in heaven on Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022.
Gary was born July 31, 1949, in Flora, the son of Harold W. and Gladys Aliene (Davis) Pearce. He was united in marriage to Nancy L. Wiley on April 26, 1969, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Wayne County and together they have shared 53 wedding anniversaries.
Gary served in the US Army. Along with farming for most of his life, he drove a truck for Cargill for 30 years. Around 20 years ago The Lord called Gary to ministry, and he has served as a United Methodist Pastor for 20 years in Lawrenceville, Cisne, and most recently at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Olney. He enjoyed gardening, horses, riding his Harley Davidson trike, and just “piddling” around as he would often say. Gary had a great love of life and the people in it, especially the special ones who called him “Grandpa.”
He is survived by his wife: Nancy Pearce of Flora; 3 sons: Scott Wayne Pearce of Flora, Gregory Alan Pearce of Flora, and Gale Pearce (Faith) of Flora; grandchildren: Allie Pearce, Chloe Pearce, Maddy Pearce, Tristen Conner, Trenton Pearce (Molly), Shay Allen, Jarin Pearce, Andrew Pearce; great-granddaughter: Maelin Williams; siblings: Carolyn Berger of Effingham, Genelle (Steve) Beck of Olney, Sue Pearce of Pekin, Edie (Wade) Jones of Louisville, Fran Pearce of Sells, Arizona, Tim (Cheri) Pearce of Flora, Ed Pearce of Flora, and Steve (Norma) Pearce of Crossville; mother-in-law: Maxine Fildes of Flora; brother-and sister-in-law: Steve (Glenda) Wiley of Clay City and Nita (Mike) Mobley of Salem; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant brother: William.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Foster Hill (Mt. Zion) Cemetery with the presentation of military funeral honors. Visitation will be 5 until 8 p.m. on Monday evening at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to either the American Red Cross or the Ascension St. Vincent House and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a memory or condolence, visit: www.frankandbright.com
we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Gary was a good, kind, and gentle man. He made a big difference in peoples' lives, Our prayers and thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. May God bring you comfort.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Gary. We have been friends and neighbors for many years. Our condolences to Nancy and the family. Thank GOD for His promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord. And the promise of a great reunion in heaven with our loved ones who have trusted in the LORD. OUR HOPE IS IN JESUS CHRIST.
Nancy, I am so sorry for your loss. Pastor Gary was a wonderful man and I thank God for the time I was able to know him. May you feel God's comfort in this difficult time.
Nancy, Jarin, Andrew and family We are sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time.
So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Prayers for Nancy and all the family. We grew up together and were neighbors. Have lots of good memories with him and his family. Thankful for the promise of seeing him again because of the faith we have in Jesus Christ! May God comfort the family.
Scott and family. So sorry for your loss! Hugs and prayers are with you all!!
Nancy and the boys, I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Gary was always such a very nice man. I'm sure he is rejoicing in heaven. May God keep you in his arms. Also to his family; prayers for all of you.
Gary is a humble man on fire for God. We lost a hard worker in the faith here on earth but we are sure Gary heard, "Well done!" Our love and prayers to the family left behind
What a shock to hear Gary passed away! To know he's in heaven surrounded by our Father and all the angels is something we should all strive for. Many great memories growing up knowing Gary, riding bikes, riding the bus and his ties with my brother Gary. Those were special days. May God surround each of you and bring comfort and peace to you all.
Nancy, Andrew, & family - I’m so sorry for your loss. Gary was such a kind man! I’ll keep you all in my prayers.
Prayers for comfort to Nancy and the entire family, knowing now he is rejoicing in heaven with his Lord.
Nancy and family., I am so sorry to hear about Gary. My prayers are with you
Gary was a long time friend and neighbor. We are so sorry for his passing.
My thought and prayers go out to his family ((hugs))
Pastor Gary was truly a man of God. He will be missed. I'm sure he is dancing in the streets of heaven. hugs & prayers to the family at this time. so very sorry for your loss.
Sorry to hear. Prayers for the family.
Gary was a great man, a man that followed Jesus. Always up lifting and a good word to say. It was a pleasure to know Gary. Prayers for all the family my deepest sympathy. Well done good and faithful servant.
His cb handle was the Gander I always said he could double clutch downshift eat a baloney sandwich drink a Pepsi cola ratchet jaw on the cb and listen to Dave Dudley at the same time I will miss him !!
Condolences & prayers for the Gary Pierce family. FHS class of 1967.
So sorry for your loss.
Gary was a good man. He truly loved the Lord. Im thankful for the times he helped my family. The family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Praying for comfort in this difficult time. We've known Gary and all the Pearce family for 70+ years. Lots of good memories!
Nancy - We were so very sorry to hear of Gary's passing. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers for comfort at this time. Gary was a fine, Godly man and will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
Our sincere sympathies for your loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Family is in our thoughts & prayers. Gary was a great guy & preacher if at anytime a person was needing help of any kind Gary would always help out in any way that he could rather it would be something spirtitual or just sitting down to talk & he was always cheerful never once did we see him not with a smile.
Gary’s love for Christ Jesus was contagious. He fought the good fight and is now reaping his eternal rewards. He will be greatly missed here on earth. May God continue to bless his congregation at Immanuel Methodist Church.
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing, but knowing we will all see Gina gain someday I pray will bring you great comfort. Prayers for you, Nancy, and the entire extended family. We have very fond memories of many of you.
My heart is breaking for you all and all of us that also loved him! He has helped me so much during my life of him being my Pastor and Friend! We know he is Rejoicing right now beside God! WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!! We will miss you so very much!
Very sorry for the loss of you family member.
Gary and I went through License to Preach School together in the summer of 2003. God's peace to the family. I always enjoyed the time we spent together. Gary was a good and faithful servant.
My heart is broken for all of you! He was the best boss, guiding example and a downright loveable guy. Fly High Gary...
We were so sorrowful to hear of Gary's passing, but know that he is dancing in his mansion built especially for him. He will be greatly missed by so many!
Pastor Gary was the most wonderful preacher and the most caring person I have ever had the pleasure to know. His presence at Immanuel is and will be missed for a very long time!
I first met Gary in 2013 while living in Lawrenceville. I always enjoyed talking with Gary as I found him easy to talk to. I moved back to Olney 5 years ago and started seeing him around town. Going to miss him but I know he is Paradise with Jesus Christ.
So sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was a very fine man & will be missed greatly. Praying for comfort of the family.
So sorry for your loss. Gary was a good guy and always had a smile. He will be missed so much. Keeping you all in our thoughts & prayers. HUGS!!
So sorry to hear this, Gary was a kind man. Sending prayers to whole family !
All the family has our sympathy. My husband met Gary at the men's pray breakfast at the Methodist church in Lawrenceville. He truly was an inspiration to those around him. I know he will be missed.
Nancy, my thoughts & prayers are with you & the entire family. Gary was a blessing to our family. He & Mick bonded over their truck driving careers. Even though the two of you had moved on to Olney, when Gary learned Mick was in the hospital the weekend he passed away, he came to the hospital to sit & pray with me. It was greatly appreciated & won't be forgotten.
Gary was always positive and looked for the best in people. The love of Jesus poured from him. He was a true disciple.
Deepest sympathy to family and friends at this very difficult time.
Tim and Cheri so sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for peace and precious memories.
Gary was " Not a Fan" of Jesus, he didn't set on the side lines and cheer. He got involved and was a disciple. Great example. Sorry for your loss but happy for Heaven's gain.
Sorry to hear. Many thoughts and prayers for his family. I'll never forget the first time meeting Gary we were standing around my mother in laws bed as she was getting ready to be transferred to another hospital, as of having cancer. Gary was visiting someone across the hall at GSH and he seen us around her bed and asked if he could come in and pray with us. ❤️ He was such a nice man.
So very sorry for your loss!! Praying for the family!!!
Pastor Gary was a Gem in God's Service. He is greatly missed by those of us who love him. Sending our condolences and prayers for your Family Nancy...may God comfort and strengthen you in the days ahead.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]