Vera M. Pierce (nee Ganieany), 97, went home to be with the Lord, November 2, 2020, at her daughter’s home in Joliet, Illinois, while holding her daughter’s hand.
Vera was born on October 28, 1923, in rural Bluford, the daughter of Victor and Nora (Fally) Ganieany. She married Kenneth Dewey Pierce on October 2, 1940. Her first job was with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri, while Dewey was serving in the United States Army. After the war, they moved back to Southern Illinois, and eventually back to a farm in Farrington Township, where they spent the majority of their lives. Vera’s quick wit, intelligence, and inquisitive nature was a joy to those who knew her.
She worked side by side on the farm, with Dewey, along with being a cook at Farrington Grade School. She tackled any project with gusto, whether it was quilting, upholstering, putting down flooring, or painting the house. She could shoot a gun like a pro. She loved her family fiercely and her friends were very important to her. She is a member of New Home (Lowery) General Baptist Church, where she enjoyed wonderful fellowship for many years. Vera loved animals, no matter the age or size, and would always be doing her best to save the babies or care for the older ones.
Vera is survived by her daughter, Gloria Dudek and husband Ron; grandchildren, Larry Pierce Jr. and wife Angie, Steven Dudek, Lana Draper and husband Robert, Scott Dudek and wife Martha, Tim Dudek, and Kevin Pierce; great-grandchildren, Brittany and Melissa Pierce, Samantha and Sydney Dudek, Candace Draper, Pierce and Grant Dudek, and Landan Pierce; ten great-great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces; sisters-in-law; wonderful friends, including Lois DeJournett and family, and her church family at New Home (Lowery) General Baptist Church; and caregivers, Barbara, Cheryl, Lynda, in Joliet, and Marie, Coleen, Mandy, Carolyn, Tracey, and Candace, at her home, who cared lovingly for her, as to know her is to love her.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; son, Larry Jules, Sr.; grandson, Keith Pierce; and brother, Leslie Ganieany.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Pierce will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 7, 2020, at New Home (Lowery) General Baptist Church, with Harry Thomason officiating. Burial will follow at Wells Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. (Noon) until the hour of service, at the church, on Saturday, November 7, 2020. The family asks that attendees wear masks and observe social distancing guidelines. Memorials may be made to Wells Chapel Cemetery, and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.