Thomas S. Pierce, 56, 913 Woodridge Drive, St. Marys, died at 4:05 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009, at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born March 27, 1953, in Celina to Edgar Stanley and Lois Kohnen Pierce. His father survives in St. Marys, and his mother is deceased. On Aug. 17, 1973, he married Janet L. Sweigart, who survives.

Other survivors are a son, Jason (Katie) Pierce, Spencerville, Ind.; a daughter, Jamie (Kurt) Knapke, St. Marys; four sisters, Donna Stork, Warsaw, Ind., Bonnie Berry, St. Marys, Deb Henning, New Knoxville, and Linda (Joe) Dressman, St. Marys; a mother-in-law, Virginia Sweigart, St. Marys; a sister-in-law, Rebecca (Rick) Murray, St. Marys; two brothers-in-law, Bill Sweigart, Melbourne, Fla., and Wayne Sweigart, St. Marys; and a granddaughter.

Deceased is an infant daughter, Nikki Pierce; and a father-in-law, Jack Sweigart.

He retired Sept. 1 from Crown Equipment Corp., New Bremen, where he worked in assembly for more than 34 years. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, St. Marys, and Shelby County Bow Hunters, Sidney. He also served as a field representative for WASP Archery, Natgear Camo and Trailblazer Outdoor products. He was a 1971 graduate of Memorial High School, St. Marys.

Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church, the Rev. Anthony E. Cutcher officiating. Burial is at Gethsemane Cemetery, St.Marys.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Miller Funeral Home and Cremation Service, St. Marys.

Contributions can be made to Grand Lake Hospice Program, Shelby County Bow Hunters or the Gerad Center for Cancer Treatment.

Condolences can be left at www.millerfuneralhomes.net.