Dan D. Pierce

""Count it all joy, my brethren... "" Dan D. Pierce was called Home on August 15, 2010 to receive his Heavenly reward from his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he loved, worshiped, and faithfully served here an earth for the past 23 years.He was born November 30, 1948 in New Castle, Indiana, son of Keith and Donna (Keesling) Pierce, and lived in Middletown his entire life. In his youth, he excelled at art, was active in boy scouts, and was a successful drag racer competing at Muncie Dragway. He graduated from Middletown High School in 1966 and became a skilled ASE Certified car and truck mechanic for over 35 years, working at several area businesses, including Dossett's Garage and Riley & Sons. He also worked as a government certified welder for Westinghouse.Dan was an award-winning professional artist specializing in chainsaw wood sculpture, hand-carved wood sculpture, custom signs, landscape paintings, and wall murals. He started wood carving in 1999 and, since his first competition in 2000, won over 85 first place awards, 65 second place awards, and 35 third place awards at various contests throughout the Midwest. Dan successfully owned and operated his own businesses, Creative Signs and Graphics in the 1980's and Spirit Woodcarving in the 2000's, for which he also designed, created, and maintained his own website. His beautiful chainsaw wood sculptures can be found throughout Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky. He was President of Redbud Woodcarvers in Anderson, and a member of Raintree Woodcarvers in New Castle, Eastern Woodland Carvers Club in Converse, National Wood Carvers association and United Chainsaw Carvers Guild. Dan donated his time, talents, and resources to many organizations such as United Way, Hubie King Legacy Ride, Charity's Angels, National Stroke Association, American Cancer Society, Saint John's Foundation, The Cadeaux Ball, American Legion, Middletown EMS/Fire Department, Oakland Elementary School, Shenandoah Middle School, Eel River Powwow, Miami Powwow and many more.He was also an accomplished cake decorator and chef and competed in cooking competitions at the Indiana State Fair, where he won second place in the Spam Contest in 2007 and first place in the Red Gold Salsa Contest in 2009. Dan was a gifted speaker/teacher and served as a church deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher, and mentor first at Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton (where he was baptized into Christ in 1987), then at Tri County Christian Church in Middletown (where he met the love of his life on a blind date in 2000). He was a talented writer and enjoyed writing poetry for his wife and especially for God, as well as communion meditations. Dan loved animals and especially enjoyed raising and training Doberman Pinschers such as Dillinger (his favorite), Cassie, Leia, and Adler. He enjoyed woodcarving, cooking/cake decorating, art, leatherwork, fairs/festivals, racing, teaching, traveling, listening to country music, playing euchre, computers, martial arts,Japanese culture, Bible study, and spending quality time with and entertaining family and friends. Since his massive stroke on September 29, 2009, Dan had dedicated his time and energy not only to his own miraculous recovery, but also to public speaking and educating about stroke awareness; the benefits of rehabilitation therapy; the healing power of prayer; the critical importance of faith, hope, and love; and establishing a support group for stroke survivors, caregivers, and family members. He was an amazing example of courage, strength, inspiration, dedication, faithfulness, love, hope, and determination to all who were privileged enough to have known him. Dan was our ""Superman, with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.""Left to cherish his memory are his ""sweetie"" Lynn (Harrington) Pierce, whom he married on January 30, 2001, six (6) children, who were his pride and joy, Alicia (Jamey) Angell, Jeremy (Jennifer) Pierce, Kimberly (Malissa) Pierce-Flowers, Nathan (Jamie) Pierce, Chelsea (Anthony) Pierce, and Amanda Hubbard; seven (7) grandchildren, who were the light of his life, Makayla Angell, Paige Schenck, Caleb Haley, Kyle Angell, Jacob Pierce, Jasmine McGhee, and Piper Pierce; two (2) grandsons on the way, James Flowers and Jaydan Dawson; mother, Donna Pierce; brother, Larry (Sandy) Pierce; uncle, Bill Pierce; uncle, Gene (Mary) Pierce; aunt, Hazel Keesling; aunt, Rosemary Keesling; nephews and nieces, Mike (Melinda) Pierce and Xavier, Gary Pierce and Jaxon, Tammy Whisnant and Blaise, Josh (Janet) Mitchell and Zane; special nephews and nieces, whom he adored :Caleb and Brighton Harrington, Katie Johns, and Izzy Stewart; mother-in-law, Jan (Dave) Bronnenberg; father-in-law, John (Dixie) Harrington Sr.; brother-in-law, John (Tasha) Harrington Jr.; sister-in-law, Kelly (Andy) Stewart; special friends, LeAnne Boyce, Jerrad (Ashley) Roberts, and Jessica (Cory) Bell; several special cousins and friends; brothers and sisters in Christ at Fall Creek and Tri County Christian Churches; all of his wonderful wood carving buddies; his ""family"" at Bennett Rehabilitation Center, Saint John's Home Care and Hospice, Erskine Rehabilitation Center, and Saint John's Cancer Center; his puppy boy, Adler; and his kitty buddy, Elmo.He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carl and Leta Pierce and Myron and Mary Keesling; his first wife, Bonnie (Bertram) Pierce; his father, Keith Pierce; his father-in-law, Bill Johns; his brother-in-law, Ben Bronnenberg; several aunts and uncles; and his faithful companion, Dillinger.Dan's family would like to thank Dr. Sunil Juthani and staff, Dr. Troy Payner and staff, Dr. Andy Ritchison and staff, Dr. Brian Eddy and staff, and all of the wonderful therapists, nurses, and staff of Bennett Rehabilitation Center, Saint John's Home Care and Hospice, Erskine Rehabilitation Center, and Saint John's Cancer Center for their amazing, loving, and nurturing care and support of Dan and his family during his stroke recovery and his recent battle with cancer.Funeral services will be held on Friday at 2:00 PM at the Tri Country Christian Church in Middletown with Dr. James Harless officiating.Burial will follow in Miller Cemtery in Middletown.Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 1-4 and 5-8 and one hour the day of the services.Ballard and Sons Funeral Home, Middletown has been entrusted with arrangements.Online guestbook at: ballardand sons.comMemorial contributions may be made to Bennett Rehabilitation Center through the Saint John's Foundation