John R. Pierce, age 81, of Dalton, OH, passed away Monday, September 9, 2013. He was born September 24, 1931 in Perry to Violet Pearl (Penhollow) & John Ward Pierce.

John graduated from Perry High School in Perry, OH and from Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln, IL. He served as a minister of the gospel for 60 years, with many missionary endeavors around the world. He held full-time pastorates with Wapella Christian Church in Wapella, IL, Webber Street Christian Church in Urbana, IL, First Christian Church in Fort Myers, FL, Chapel Hill Christian Church in Kokomo, IN, First Christian Church in Sullivan, IN and Cornerstone Christian Church in Deltona, FL.

He is survived by his 2nd wife Kathryn (Farthing); daughters, Sallie Pierce of Melbourne, FL, Sandra (Jon) Zeltman of Kidron, OH; grandchildren, Dustin Anderson of Melbourne, FL, Matt Zeltman of Sacramento, CA, Sarah Zeltman-Smith of Tacoma, WA, Jacob Zeltman of Kidron, OH; brothers, Manley Pierce of Fenton, MI, Ben Pierce of Perry, OH. John was preceded in death by his parents; 1st wife, Marion Lorraine (Zima) in 1992; brother, David Pierce.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, September 13, 2013 at The Behm Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, 26 River Street, Madison, Ohio with visitation one hour prior to service. Final Resting Place will be at Perry Cemetery in Perry.

Contributions may be made to Little Galilee Christian Camp, 7539 Little Galilee Rd., Clinton, IL 61727. www.behmfuneral.com