In MEMORIAM

Expanded Eulogies

“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.

Marshall Pierce

Marshall Elbert Pierce, 90, passed away Jan. 7, 2016, in Newton.

He was born Oct. 25, 1925, to Roy and Flora (McKinley) Pierce in Reed County, Oklahoma, near Mangum. He was one of eight children.

The family moved between Oklahoma and Kansas several times and settled in Belle Plaine.

Following high school, he enlisted in the Army and served as a radio operator on the USS Santa Maria, a troop transport ship. He became proficient in Morse code and shorthand.

The development of those skills led to a position with Santa Fe Railway Company, where he worked until retiring.

He married Marie Lackey on Oct. 23, 1948, at the Peabody Christian Church. They were blessed with four children, 11 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

They shared a love of music and performed together many times over the 54 years of their married life.

Following Marie’s passing in 2002, Marshall married Shirley Kelly on March 3, 2005. At the time of his death, he resided at Kansas Christian Home in Newton.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie, twin brother Marion, brother Malcolm (Pug); sisters Lucy Patrick, Dell Gifford, Wanda Burrows, and Juanita Kilts, and grandson Ethan Schmidt.

He is survived by wife Shirley of Newton; son Layne Pierce (Mila); daughters, Susie Schmidt (Tom), Jeanne Strotkamp (Audi), and Joyce Tyner; sister Ella Neptune of Belle Plaine grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Services were Tuesday, Jan. 12 at Belle Plaine Baptist Church, with burial in Belle Plain Cemetery. Visitation was Monday, Jan. 11 at Baker Funeral Home, Peabody.

Memorial is to Belle Plaine Alumni Association and may be sent through Baker Funeral Home, 114 Sycamore St., Peabody KS 66866.