George Estel Pierce (80) of Cooks Mills

George Estel Pierce, 80, of Cooks Mills, Illinois passed away at 1:30 AM Sunday, September 22, 2019 at HSHS St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur, Illinois. For the past year, George resided at Mason Point in Sullivan.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, October 5 at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Cooks Mills, Illinois. The Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup is assisting the family.

George was born on August 16, 1939 in Mattoon, Illinois to Sanford Estel (Bob) & Emma Louise (Blair) Pierce. He married Carol (Hampsten) on January 16, 1965. Carol preceded him in death.

George is survived by his sons, Lloyd (Tami) Pierce and Mark (Angela) Pierce both of Liberty, Texas; Greg (Stacie) Pierce and Cory Pierce both of Cooks Mills; daughter Beverly Scales of Hazel Dell; sister Charlene Shirley of Mattoon and sister-in-laws Carol A. Pierce of Cooks Mills and Nada (Terry) Young of Gays. Grandchildren Mikayla (Blake) Brown, Trevor Pierce, Emily Pierce, Amber Scales (Jason Stewart), Riley (Shalina) Scales, Hunter (Hannah) Scales, Trivette (Autumn) Scales, Kaitlyn (Avery) Gibson, Madelyn Pierce, Cody Monroe, Jordan Snyder, Morgan Minnis, Harley Pierce; Tripp Pierce, Rhyder Pierce, Pacie Hussong and seven great grandchildren.

George was preceded in death by his parents, brother Edward D. Pierce, sisters Eutha May Clemons and Ruth Esther Pierce, and one grandchild Jordan Pierce.

George enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18 and proudly served on the USS Hancock from 1958-1962 in California; Okinawa, Japan; and the Philippines. He worked many jobs throughout his life, but retired from Blaw Knox in Mattoon after 22 years of service as a burner and maintenance technician. Memorials can be made to the Cancer Center at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

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