Edward Franklin Pierce

THOMASVILLE, Mo. - Edward Franklin "Ed" Pierce, 87, passed peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 16, 2011. Born in Thomasville, Mo., on Oct. 31, 1924, he was the second son of Edward Pierce Sr. and Emily Jane "Cricket" (Todd) Pierce. After serving his country in WWII at the Aircraft Radio Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio, he married his sweetheart, Ellen Trantham, at Rover, Mo., on June 5, 1949. In the early 60's, Ed left the farm to pursue continuing education at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University). In 1962, Ed earned his BS degree (magna cum laude), and moved his family to Springfield, Mo. There Ed finished his Master's degree from the University of Missouri. Ed acted as research assistant to Duane Meyer in the writing of a history book, The Heritage of Missouri (1960). While at MSU, Ed advanced to Director of Admissions & Records and was later honored for his achievements entering the MSU "Wall of Fame", after retiring from MSU in 1986. Ed always believed in giving back and served various organizations, including Meals on Wheels, the Prescott Water Conservatory, the Springfield Gem and Mineral society (Pres), Red Cross (a 20 gallon Blood Donor), Sun City Prides (President) and many others. Ed loved to travel and visited all 50 states with his sweetheart and bride of 62 years, Ellen. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ralph, and his sister, Jewell Campbell. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Ellen Irene (Trantham) of Thomasville, Mo.; two sons, and one daughter, a brother, Calvin Pierce, of Springfield Mo.; and sister, Patsy Williams and husband Jerry from Prescott, Ariz. Eldest son, Lane, and his wife, Cindy of Murphysboro, Ill., and their children, Elissa Wright and husband, Cameron (and great-grandchildren, Braxton, Devyn and Bria), Aaron and wife Cassie (with great-grandchildren, Kerri and Tyler) of Tuscola, Ill., and Ashley and Britney Pierce of St. Petersburg, Fla. The younger son, Alan and wife Charlotte of Edmond, Okla., have six children, Dave and wife, Tabitha of Broken Arrow, Laurie, Kenneth, Jacob, John, and Joshua. Sheri Pierce, MD, is Ed's youngest daughter in Chicago, Ill. (with her son, Anthony Granelli of Phoenix). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sun City Prides (a volunteer organization for the clean up and maintenance of public spaces in Sun City) c/o Bonnie Mirick (treasurer) at 9418 W Glen Oaks Circle, Sun City AZ 85351 or the Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org ).