David Scott Pearce

David Pearce loved cowboy movies, walking in the woods, and bowling with the ARC. What was most important in his life, however, was his relationship with God and with his friends and family members. Caring and genuine, David was truly happy to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

On February 25, 1933, Harvey and Oneita (Glidden) Pearce of Paw Paw were blessed with the birth of a son. The boy, their first child, was christened David Scott Pearce. Harvey and Oneita loved children, and David soon had three younger siblings to play with: Diane, Clayton and Joneita. Tragically, Diane died while still an infant. Harvey supported his family with a plumbing business, and Oneita was a homemaker. Later, Harvey would also serve as the mayor of Paw Paw. When the time came for David to go to school, he attended the local Paw Paw schools. In his free time, David loved being outdoors. He could often be seen riding his bike around town, or helping out his grandfather on the farm in Mattawan (his favorite part was riding the tractor). David also enjoyed going on picnics with his family and swimming in Maple Lake. No one ever worried about leftover food at the picnics – David relished food, and was affectionately known to be a “human garbage can” by his family members.

As a teenager, David started pulling a trailer behind his bike in order to work a lawn-cutting business. Hard-working and meticulous, David cut nearly every lawn in Paw Paw at one time or another. David always liked being busy, and this business gave him a chance to enjoy the outdoors. As a result, he continued cutting lawns for many years. He also cleared tables at a few local restaurants and did many errands for senior citizens.

David got up early every morning, and kept himself busy all day long. In addition to his jobs, he made a habit of reading the Bible and the Gazette daily, and served as an usher at the Community of Christ church in Kalamazoo. David enjoyed a personal and loving relationship with his God. In fact, he could often be seen sitting on his favorite stump with a piece of grass clamped between his teeth, talking to God. David also liked working with his hands, especially making wood carving boards.

Although a hard worker, David always made time for the people in his life as well. He cherished his extended family, and loved being a part of all family activities. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. David also enjoyed spending time with friends, especially bowling, playing cards and playing checkers. David’s friendliness and kindness extended to strangers as well. He was big talker, and would chat to anyone about anything!

David lived with his parents for most of his life, until his mother started having health issues. For the last ten years, David has been in foster care; most recently he resided at Peace House AFC, Bangor. On August 19, 2011, David died from a heart attack.

David Pearce was a kind, outgoing, and caring man. His happy smile and tireless joy in helping others will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all those lucky enough to have known him.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Oneita Pearce, and his infant sister, Diane Pearce. His family includes his two siblings, Clayton (Marie) Pearce and Joneita “Jo” (Gary) McLean; three nieces, Shannon Pearce, Melissa (Edward) Braunbeck and Heather (Paul) Scheele; and extended family.

Learn more about David, view his Life Story film, and share in some refreshments with his family and friends on Wednesday, August 24 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler & Thompson – Paw Paw, 60900 M-40, 657-3870. Services will be held here at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 25. Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to Kalamazoo congregation of Community of Christ, CSDD, or Paw Paw Day Care Services. Please visit David’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory or photo, or sign his memory book before coming to the funeral home.