Richard A. Pearce

STREATOR — Richard A. Pearce, 94, of Streator, passed away Friday, July 20, at Heritage Health Therapy and Senior Care in Streator.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Streator. The Rev. Father Ryan Mattingly will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Solon-Telford Funeral Home, Streator. The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Fourth Degree members of the Streator Assembly 2109 of the Knights of Columbus honor guard will be present during the visitation. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Streator.

Pallbearers will be his sons, James, Richard, Scott and Edward Pearce; son-in-law, George “Hank” Martin; and his nephew, Alan Pearce. Third Degree members of the Knights of Columbus Council 790 also will serve as honorary pallbearers. Full military rites will be accorded by members of the Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1492.

Born April 3, 1924, in Streator, he was the son of Harry Southworth and Stella Mae (Turner) Pearce. He married Eleanor Richardson on Oct. 25, 1952, at St. Joseph’s Church in Marseilles.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Pearce, of Streator; daughters, Nancy (George “Hank”) Martin, of Streator, Mary Dutz, of Lincoln, and Candis (April Griggs) Pearce, of Streator; sons, James Pearce, of Streator, Dr. Richard (Michele) Pearce, of Bloomington, Scott (Tanya) Pearce, of Streator, and Edward (Rhonda Fechter) Pearce, of Streator; grandchildren, Tina Martin, Tammy (Roderick) Cave, Michael Pearce, Janae (James) Miller, Blake Dutz, Katelyn Dutz, Nicole (Ryan) Lunger, Richard Pearce, Andrew Pearce, Cassandra DeGuido and Richard DeGuido; and Ashley Svoboda; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews survive, including special nieces, Eloise (Gale) Demoss and Diane Pearce; and a nephew, Alan Pearce.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Randolph Pearce; and his brothers, LeRoy and Edward Pearce.

Born and raised in Streator, he attended Lincoln, Sherman and Greeley grade schools and Streator High School.

He served in the United States Army Air Forces from 1943 until 1946. He served as an aerial gunner on a B-29 Bomber named Padre and his Angels stationed in the Mariana Islands. His aircraft was once shot down and he was discharged with the rank of sergeant.

He worked for New York Central Railroad and then for Owens-Illinois Glass Company from 1947 until 1989. After his retirement, he worked for St. Mary’s Grade School.

He was a member of the former Immaculate Conception Church and currently belonged to St. Michael the Archangel Parish. He was a member of the Msgr. George A. Dzuryo Knights of Columbus Council 790 and the 4th Degree Streator Assembly 2109 of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Leslie G. Woods American Legion Post 217 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1492. Dick was honored with the opportunity to take the Honor Flight on Aug. 24, 2000, a thrill he spoke of often.

Dick played baseball and was a lifelong New York Yankees fan. He loved playing cards, playing pool, fishing and camping. He especially enjoyed watching three generations of his offspring play sports. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Condolences may be left for the family at solontelford.com.

Solon-Telford Funeral Home

301 S. Park St., Streator, IL 61364

815-672-2320 solontelford.com