Obituaries

May 1936 to Au gust 18, 2022

WINAMAC - Arthur Lee ‘Art’ Pierce, 86, of Gary, passed away peacefully at 6 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 18, at home. He had failing health for the past decade. His devoted wife, Linda Kay (Fultz-Rhymer) and family, lovingly cared for him.

He was a long-time resident of Winamac. He was born in May 1936 at the Gilsinger family homestead in Pulaski County.

Art Pierce

He is survived by Doris DelMagorie of Laporte, (sister), Nila Hartlerode of Harrison, Ark. (sister), Patrick ‘Pat’ (Sue) Pierce of Russellville, Ky. (brother), Virginia Pierce of Mishawaka, (sister-in-law), Glenn Arthur Pierce of Winamac, (son), Dale Robert Pierce of Winamac, (son), Marilyn Beth Nichols-Stump of Tampa, Fla. (daughter), Linda Marie DePoy of Winamac, (daughter), Karen Louise Cattin of Winamac, (daughter), John Mitchell (Sally) Rhymer of Azle, Texas (stepson), Tressie Sue Harrison of Dublin, Ga. (stepdaughter), 24 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding him in death: Florice Benjamin ‘Ben’ and Mary Elizabeth (Gilsinger) Pierce (parents), Chester ‘Chet,’ Donald ‘Don,’ Robert ‘Bob’ Pierce (brothers), Glenn Arthur Pierce Jr. (grandson), David Bruce William Rhymer (stepson), and Alexander Paul Rhymer (grandson).

Mr. Pierce started as an apprentice heavy machine mechanic in 1956 at Inland Steel in East Chicago. He climbed the ranks as heavy machine mechanic instructor/foreman. He retired after 37 years of service in the steel industry. Pat Pierce (brother) remembers Art as the big brother who helped get him his first job in 1954 as ‘pin-setter’ for the Winamac bowling alley. Mr. Pierce took to the skies in 1964 as a private pilot (PPL). He diligently studied to earn flight instructor certification (CFI) for private craft and a pilot instrument rating (IR) honing the skill to fly solely from an instrument panel. He loved to take along passengers to share his fascination with flight. When flying solo, he enjoyed practicing dare-devilish loops, dives, stalls, and low flying tactical maneuvers to impress his fanfare of family and friends. He was disappointed that he did not pursue commercial flying. He did take pleasure when recognized by local papers: headline reading ‘Local Pilot Takes to the Skies’ for work commute from Winamac to Chicago area.

Mr. Pierce had strong ties to his roots in Pulaski County. His parents partitioned 40 acres east on Highway 14 to their seven children. In 1961, Art took part in helping his brother Pat start-up a small service station. The brothers named the business ‘Tony the Tiger’ now known as Chuck’s Engine Service. His interest as a mechanic and having a large property served his boyish ambitions and sense of adventure to become a collector of an eclectic fleet of locomotives. He relished his fleet of cars, trucks, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks, panel wagons, fire trucks, planes, and so much more. His sense of adventure and curiosity followed him through life and he was always working on an innovative idea to make the world a better place. He shared his passions with his family and friends by arriving in style to family reunions with ‘Art’s Fire Truck’ for children and adults to ride. The fire hoses provided a cool blast to escape the summer heat.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 28, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. A celebration of life service will follow at 3 p.m. (Sunday), at the funeral home with Lay Leader Barbara Kleinofen officiating. Burial will be at Winamac Cemetery (McKinley Addition) in Winamac.

Memorial donations may be made to the family c/o Linda Pierce (wife).

Special heartfelt appreciation goes out to Tranquility Hospice and Palliative Care of Highland, Ind.