Pierce, Ray E.

Ray E. Pierce, 79, of Marion, died Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. following a lengthy illness. Services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, First United Methodist Church, Marion, by the Rev. Mike Morgan. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Marion. Burial, with full military honors: Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Peg; son, Bob (Becky) Lane of Indianola; daughter, RaeAnn (William) Inge of Cincinnati, Ohio; four grandchildren, Allison and Ryan Lane, and Isaiah and Keara Jo Inge; sister, Betty Waldrop of South Carolina; sister-in-law, Donna Henriksen of Waukegan, IL; and his beloved dog, Ellie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Susan Gray; and brother; Don Pierce.

Ray was born August 15, 1930, in Delaware County. He graduated from Janesville High School and went on to proudly serve in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict, receiving a Silver Star and Purple Heart. Ray married Peg Lane on Jan. 25, 1964, at the First Methodist Church in Kahoka, Mo. He worked at FMC for 22 years, then as a courier for Weland Labs for 16 years. Ray was a member of the First United Methodist Church and American Legion Post #298, both of Marion.

Ray was a loving husband, father and grandfather; his family was paramount in his life. He was a true patriot, proud to have served his country and those who had done the same. Ray was an avid sports fan. He was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bearcats.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either First United Methodist Church, Marion; or to Ray's family in his memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Ray at under obituaries.