Virgil Clifton Pierce

Virgil Clifton Pierce, 84, of Dover, Ohio died on Friday, September 10, 2004, following a brief illness.He was born on May 26, 1920 on the family farm in Scioto County, Ohio, to the late Elmer and Adelia Howard Pierce.He enlisted in the National Guard, Ohio’s 37th Division, in October 1939, and the unit was called into federal service in 1940. He served in the South Pacific in World War II in the Fiji and Woodlark Islands, Tonga, New Guinea and Australia. In 1999, he was named Tuscarawas County’s Veteran of the Year. Before entering the armed services in 1939 he had worked with the CCC on the Boulder Dam.In 1983, Virgil retired after 37 years with GTE where he worked as a division equipment supervisor. He then became a realtor until his second retirement from Smitley Realty. He was a member of the Methodist Church and he was also a 43 year member of the American Legion Post #139 in New Philadelphia, Ohio where he previously served as Post Commander.He loved bowling, golfing, watching sports, stamp collecting and his cats, Tipper, Sable and Boo. Virgil is survived by his loving wife, Frances Shackleford Pierce, with whom he celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on August 23rd. Also surviving are three daughters: Kathy Ann Neslund of Marysville, Washington; Laura Pierce McLaughlin of Toledo, Ohio; and Mary Lynn Pierce of Dover, Ohio; one son, Michael Glenn Pierce of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; grandchildren: Corinne Grech-Linkous (Ken) of Johnstown, PA; Cherstin Neslund of Bellingham, WA; Jennifer Neslund of Marysville, WA; Erin Neslund of Tacoma, WA; Nicholas (Laura) McLaughlin of Euclid, OH; Lindsay McLaughlin, Julie McLaughlin, Diane McLaughlin, and Allison McLaughlin of Toledo, OH; on cousin, Mary Margaret Roberts of Ironton, OH; nieces Helen Barney (Don) of Plano, TX, Jeanette McKibbin (Sam) of Portsmouth, OH, Thelma Brown of Wheelersburg, OH, and Mildred Wisecup (Bill) of Greenville, OH; and nephews Ronald Davis (Mildred) and Kenneth Davis (Rita) of Otway, OH; and many other family members.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters: Mae Pierce, Violet Pierce Davis (Frank) and Mildred Pierce Hamilton (Millard) and one son-in-law, Phillip Neslund.A funeral service celebrating Virgil’s life will be held on Wednesday, September 15, 2004 at 11:00AM at the Berea Chapel Methodist Church on Rocky Fork Road in Scioto County, Ohio with Rev. Sam Fillmore officiating. Burial will follow in Berea Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2004 from 5-8PM at the Botkins Funeral Home in Otway, Ohio.The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.