John Pearce

John Pearce, age 78, from McIntosh, MN passed away on Thursday, September 22nd at McIntosh Senior Living in McIntosh. A celebration of John's life will be held on Saturday, October 8th at 10:30 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in McIntosh with Rev. Gordon Syverson and Rev. Aage Carlsen officiating. A time of gathering for family and friends will be held for one hour before the memorial service at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home serving McIntosh, and messages of condolence may be sent to carlinhoialmen.com.John Michael Pearce was born on July 18, 1938 at Mahnomen, MN to the late Mildred (Boltz) and Vernon Pearce. John departed this life on September 22, 2016 at McIntosh Senior Living in McIntosh, MN at the age of 78 years. He was surrounded by his wife and other family members at the time of his death. John was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Nancy, Diana, Richard, Barb and William.After John graduated from Crookston Cathedral High School in 1956 he started work with Burlington Northern after which he was drafted into the army where he spent two years in Germany. Returning from the army he was again employed by Burlington Northern where he worked as a switchman in Grand Forks, ND, and Crookston, MN, for 40 years. During his time working with Burlington Northern he met Gayle O. Hanson and was united with her in holy matrimony in 1962. They were blessed in their 54 years of marriage with two wonderful sons, Marc and Michael. John and Gayle raised their family in Grand Forks, ND, and in 1972 they moved to the Hanson family farm in McIntosh, MN where they lived until 1989 when they moved into their dream home on Lake Sarah.John was a dedicated family man who cherished his time with his family and friends. He enjoyed watching his children and later his grandchildren participate in sports.He enjoyed sharing his love for the outdoors through camping, hunting and fishing, and taught his family to appreciate nature and all that it has to offer.John is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Gayle, sons, Marc (Amy) Pearce of Fulshear, TX, and Michael Pearce of Warroad, MN; five grandchildren, Joshua (Rachael) Pearce, Jessica (Alex) Hawrelok, Benjamin (Taylar) Pearce, Logan Pearce, and Samantha Pearce; three great grandchildren, Julian Pearce, Emmrick Pearce and Brynn Hawrelok, as well as a host of nieces and nephews; family and friends whom he held dear to his heart, Melanie Pearce, and AFS students, Takesh Yamada and Nokie Kobashis of Japan.Blessed be his memory