Rolla B. Pierce, 98, of Bluford, passed away at 7:56 p.m., Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
He was born November 24, 1924, in Mt. Vernon, the son of Oscar and Louisa (Clark) Pierce. On June 6, 1948, he married Mary Louise Sledge, and she preceded him in death on November 9, 1977. On March 4, 1979, he married Mary Alice (Newell) Mills, and she preceded him in death on January 28, 2013.
Rolla was a veteran of the United States Army, and served during World War II. He was a graduate of Mt. Vernon Township High School, and loved family, farming, gardening, woodworking, hunting, and especially, fishing at Rend Lake with his dear friend, Lyle Witzel. He was a lifelong member of Wells Chapel General Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.
Mr. Pierce is survived by two sons, Garry G. Pierce and wife Glendora of Bluford, and Harlan Pierce and wife Terry of Bluford; step-children, Marshall Mills and wife Angie of Bluford, Randy Mills and wife Roxanne of Oakland City, Indiana, Marty Mills and wife Kelly of Mt. Vernon, and Karen Hales and husband John of O’Fallon; four grandsons, David Pierce and wife Shanel of Bluford, Darren Pierce and wife Kristine of Mt. Vernon, Brian Pierce and wife Sarah of New Harmony, Indiana, Jason Pierce and wife Laurie of Bluford; step-grandchildren, Jarrod Mills and wife Sarah of Bluford, Andrea Frey and husband John of Bluford, Ryan Mills and wife Courtney of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Laura Marcum and husband Michael of O’Fallon, and Jonathon Mills of Mt. Vernon; seven great-grandchildren; and eighteen step-great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and four step-great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Mary Louise Pierce, and wife, Mary Alice Pierce, he was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lowell Pierce; step-daughter, Sharon Mills; and step-grandchildren, Jennifer Lynn Mills and Andy Keith Mills.
Funeral Services for Mr. Pierce will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at the Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, with Marty Mills officiating. Burial will follow at Wells Chapel Cemetery, with graveside military rites accorded by American Legion Post #141, of Mt. Vernon. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 19, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Memorial gifts may be made to Wells Chapel Cemetery and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to 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.
