Richard A. Pearce

Richard A. Pearce, 94, of Streator passed away Friday, July 20, 2018 at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care in Streator.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 A.M. Wednesday at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Streator. Rev. Fr. Ryan Mattingly will officiate.

Visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. Tuesday at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator. The rosary will be recited at 7:00 P.M. Fourth Degree members of the Streator Assembly 2109 of the Knights of Columbus honor guard will be present during the visitation.

Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Streator. Pallbearers will be his sons, James, Richard, Scott and Edward Pearce; son in law, George “Hank” Martin and his nephew, Alan Pearce. 3rd Degree members of the Knights of Columbus Council # 790 will also serve as honorary pallbearers. Full military rites will be accorded by members of the Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1492.

Born April 3, 1924 in Streator he was the son of Harry Southworth and Stella Mae (Turner) Pearce. He married Eleanor Richardson on October 25, 1952 at St. Joseph’s Church in Marseilles.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Pearce of Streator; daughters, Nancy (George “Hank”) Martin of Streator, Mary Dutz of Lincoln and Candis (April Griggs) Pearce of Streator; sons, James Pearce of Streator, Dr. Richard (Michele) Pearce of Bloomington, Scott (Tanya) Pearce of Streator and Edward (Rhonda Fechter) Pearce of Streator; grandchildren, Tina Martin, Tammy (Roderick) Cave, Michael Pearce, Janae (James) Miller, Blake Dutz, Katelyn Dutz, Nicole (Ryan) Lunger, Richard Pearce, Andrew Pearce, Cassandra DeGuido and Richard DeGuido; and Ashley Svoboda; 12 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews survive including special nieces, Eloise (Gale) Demoss and Diane Pearce; and a nephew, Alan Pearce.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Randolph Pearce; and his brothers, LeRoy and Edward Pearce.

Born and raised in Streator he attended Lincoln, Sherman and Greeley grade schools and Streator High School.

He served in the United States Army Air Forces from 1943 until 1946. He served as an aerial gunner on a B-29 Bomber named Padre and his Angels stationed in the Mariana Islands. His aircraft was once shot down and he was discharged with the rank of Sergeant.

He worked for New York Central Railroad and then for Owens Illinois Glass Company from 1947 until 1989. After his retirement he worked for St. Mary’s Grade School.

He was a member of the former Immaculate Conception Church and currently belonged to St. Michael the Archangel Parish.

He was a member of the Msgr. George A. Dzuryo Knights of Columbus Council #790 and the 4th Degree Streator Assembly 2109 of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1492. Dick was honored with the opportunity to take the Honor Flight on August 24, 2000 a thrill he spoke of often.

Dick played baseball and was a lifelong New York Yankee fan. He loved playing cards, playing pool, fishing and camping. He especially enjoyed watching three generations of his off spring play sports. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.solontelford.com

To send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Pearce, please visit our flower store.

Visitation

Solon-Telford Funeral Home

Tuesday July 24th, 2018

4:00pm - 7:00pm

301 S Park St
Streator, IL 61364

Mass of Christian Burial

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church

Wednesday July 25th, 2018

11:30am

801 Lundy St
Streator, IL 61364

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard A. Pearce, please visit our floral store.