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

He was born March 27, 1953 in Celina, OH to Edgar Stanley and Lois (Kohnen) Pierce. 

On August 17, 1973 in Decatur, IN, he married Janet L. Sweigart, who survives. 

He is also survived by:

¨ Son Jason (Katie) Pierce of Spencerville, IN

¨ Daughter Jamie (Kurt) Knapke of St.Marys, OH

¨ Granddaughter Lillian Pierce of Spencerville, IN

¨ Father E. Stanley Pierce of St.Marys, OH

¨ Sister Donna Stork of Warsaw, IN

¨ Sister Bonnie Berry of St.Marys, OH

¨ Sister Deb Henning of New Knoxville, OH

¨ Sister Linda (Joe) Dressman of St.Marys, OH

¨ Mother-in-law Virginia Sweigart of St.Marys, OH

¨ Sister-in-law Rebecca (Rick) Murray of St.Marys, OH

¨ Brother-in-law Bill Sweigart of Melbourne, FL

¨ Brother-in-law Wayne Sweigart of St.Marys, OH

¨ Numerous nieces and nephews 

He was preceded in death by: infant daughter Nikki Pierce, mother Lois Pierce, father-in-law Jack Sweigart. 

He was a 1971 graduate of Memorial High School in St.Marys.  He was retired September 1, 2009 from Crown Equipment Corp. in New Bremen, where he worked in assembly for over 34 years.  He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in St.Marys and Shelby Co. Bow Hunters in Sidney.  Tom was an avid outdoorsman who liked fishing, collecting Native American artifacts and photographing wildlife. In addition, he was an expert archer and bow hunter and was considered an ambassador to the sport, having served as a field representative for WASP Archery, Natgear Camo and Trailblazer Outdoor products, to name a few. His greatest enjoyment, though, was spending time with his granddaughter.

Mass of Christian Burial is 11:00 a.m. Tuesday October 13, 2009 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church 511 E. Spring Street in St.Marys, with the Rev. Anthony E. Cutcher, celebrant. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, in St.Marys.