Kenneth E. Pierce

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Kenneth E. Pierce, 75, of Du Quoin, passed away at 11:10 p.m., Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the Marshall Browning Hospital in Du Quoin.

Kenneth had worked at Kroger in the meat department from 1964 until 1996. He was a member of the Elkville Christian Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He collected and painted duck decoys. He was an avid hunter in his younger years.

He was born January 26, 1934 at Du Quoin, the son of Carl and Ruth (Gentz) Pierce.

He married Erlene Brunner on February 1, 1958 at Du Quoin and she survives.

He is survived by his wife of Du Quoin, two sons - Douglas E. Pierce and wife Diane of Chesterfield, Mo., and Jason A. Pierce and wife Laura of Greenville, six grandchildren - Kelly Gillen, Kyle Gillen, Zachary Pierce, Haley Pierce, Joshua Pierce and Jordan Pierce, three sisters-in-law - Nadine Pierce of Arkansas, Jean Kash of Franklin, Tenn., and Janet Wayman and husband Terry of Vincennes, Ind., one brother-in-law - Roger Brunner and wife Becky of Tennessee, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother - Bob Pierce.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at the Elkville Christian Church at Elkville with Bro. Jerry Aken, Bro. Gary Pruitt, and Bro. Ron Kreid officiating.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Wednesday.

Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Park at Du Quoin.

Friends may make memorials to the Elkville Christian Church Building Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.