Rev. Ralph J. and Mary Jo (Rich) Pierce Pierce

                Muncie- Rev. Ralph J. and Mary Jo (Rich) Pierce, 91 and 86, respectively, both of whom passed away at the Indiana University Ball Memorial Health Hospital him January 15, 2017 and her January 13, 2017 following extended illnesses.  He was born on, April 23, 1925, in Caraway, Arkansas, the son of James Ollie and Frances (Smith) Pierce.   She was born on, April 17, 1930, in Worley, Kentucky, the daughter of Arthur “Jack” and Etta Mae (Ward) Rich.

                They met while both of them were working at the Ball Brothers Corporation him as a Millwright and she as a Production Inspector.  Later they would marry on January 2, 1947 in Muncie; together they enjoyed 70 years of marriage.  Mary Jo would go on to work for a brief time in the cafeteria for Muncie City Schools but, mostly she enjoyed being a homemaker and a Pastor’s wife.  Mrs. Pierce took care of babies in her home and enjoyed doing yard work like mowing and gardening. Ralph had honorably served in the United State Navy during WWII and Korea having served on the USS Midway.  He had worked in pattern repair for Franks Foundry for many years all the while he was Pastoring the Church of God (Trinity Assembly) Church in Muncie a post he just retired from in 2016.  He enjoyed fishing, playing horse shoes, working on  his small farm, growing a big garden, providing for his family , watching Gun Smoke on the television,  Fox News and going to auctions.

                Survivors include their children, Jerry Pierce (wife-Rebecca), Selma, Penny Trimble, Muncie, Mary Simmons, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Jack Pierce (wife-Lisa), Clearwater, Florida and Mickey Pierce (wife-Brenda), Selma;  ten grandchildren, Jerry, Tammy, Joshua, Dustin, Tina, Tonya, Amy, Jason, Jennifer and Jacqueline; sixteen great grandchildren, Ashley, Jeremy, Stephanie, Annibelle, Joshua, Kayla, Alexis, Mary, Alyssa, Allyson, Gabby, Isaiah, Nasiah, Keagan, Keavona and Jozlyne; several nieces and nephews.

                They were preceded in death by, one daughter, Etta Frances Pierce; one son, Jeffrey Allen Pierce; two Great grandsons, Demetrius Tolbert and Micah Wright; one son-in-law, Rick Simmons; both sets of parents, his two sisters, Delma and Lillie; his two brothers, Harold and LJ; four half siblings and several step siblings and her two brothers, Bill and Bob; two sisters, Opal and Ollie.

                Funeral services for both will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2017, 10:00 A.M. at Parson Mortuary with Pastors Henry Weaver and Jerry Blevins officiating.  Burial for both will be follow at the Gardens of Memory Cemetery north of Muncie. Military honors will be rendered by the Delaware County Honor Guard.

                Friends may call at the Parson Mortuary on Wednesday evening, January 18, 2017, from 6; 00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and again on Thursday morning, January 19, 2017, from 9:00 A.M. until service time.

                Memorial contributions may be made to Indiana University Ball Memorial Hospice Center2400 W. University Muncie, IN 47304.

                Online condolences may be made to the family in care of www.parsonmortuary.

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