Obituaries

Bart "Wayne" Pearce

Photo of Bart "Wayne" Pearce
Bart "Wayne" Pearce went to The Lord on June 8, 2014. Wayne was a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. He was born May 3, 1923 in Highfill, Arkansas. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Lindsey and Edie Allen Pearce, brother, Elijah L. Pearce, wife, Josephine Wallis Pearce, son, Ronald Wayne Pearce and daughter-in-law, Margaret Tranne Pearce. He is survived by his son, Nicolas Bartlett Pearce of Shreveport, Louisiana, sister, Mary Lou Dunn, nephew, Duane Dunn and niece, Sherry Dunn all of Fayetteville, Arkansas. He graduated from Cave Springs High School, in 1939. In 1942, he was drafted into WWII and served as radio operator on a B-29 bomber, stationed on Guam. Wayne made 18 missions over Japan. His plane was flying overhead the U.S.S Missouri as the peace treaty was being signed. Wayne farmed for about five years after returning from service, then went to work for Carnation Milk Company in Rogers, Arkansas. He worked for milk companies in Kansas and Missouri, too. He then moved with his family to Shreveport, Louisiana. Wayne retired as manager of Northern Louisiana Milk Producers Association in Shreveport and then he moved to Springfield with his wife after retirement. Wayne worked at the Horton Smith Golf Course until he was 90! Until January of this year, he worked out 3 days a week at Chesterfield Family Center. An active member at Sycamore Baptist church and longtime resident of The Quail Creek Village Apartments, Wayne was loved and adored by all he came in contact with. He loved animals, especially his dog Penny (deceased) and his dog Angus. Wayne spoke in schools for many years, about his military service and played honorary grandpa to many students on Grandparent's Day. Wayne especially loved his "grandsons" Raphael Joseph Weis and Aiden Johnson. A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 15, 2014 from 6-8 p.m. at Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at Rivermonte Chapel, 4500 S. Lone Pine Ave. with a service on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. at the Rivermonte Chapel. Interment will follow at Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Memorial donation may be made in honor of Wayne to Grand Oak Mission Church, 2854 W. Grand St Springfield, Mo. 65802 or Sycamore Baptist Church 3146 S. Golden Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807. Online condolences may be made at www.klingner-rivermonte.com.

Published June 13, 2014

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