Pierce Owen Pickens' Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Pierce Owen Pickens, age 91 of Charleston, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 29, 2014, as he passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Brookstone Estates residence. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday immediately following the visitation with Mother Beth Maynard officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston with Military Services to be conducted by the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592. In lieu of flowers it is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to any local Animal Shelter or Humane Society, the Coles County 4-H, the Charleston High School or to a Veterans Assistance Dog Organization of the donor's preference. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Pierce was born on October 27, 1923 in Champaign, Illinois, one of 5 sons born to the late Anderson "Andy" and Mary Ann (Picknell) Pickens. He married Patricia Waltrip in August of 1955 at the Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church in Champaign and they were married nearly 40 years prior to her death on April 21, 1995. Pierce is survived by his daughter, Marianne Pickens and her fiance Glenn Seay of Champaign; 2 sisters-in-law, Vena Davis of Charleston and Virginia (Waltrip) Manley of Springfield, IL; 5 nieces, Sandy Davis of Springfield, IL, Anne (Paul) Decker of Marion, IL, Karol Ann Gaines of Savoy, IL, Jill (Stephen) Biddle of Arlington Heights, IL, and Sheri Pickens of Champaign; 3 nephews, Don (Marie) Pickens of Rantoul, IL, Kim Pickens of Champaign and David (Lori) Waltrip of Springfield, IL; great nieces and nephews including, Kara (Tyson) Melvin of Belleville, IL, Curt (Ann) Decker of Weatherford, TX, Keith Decker and Matthew Decker of Carbondale, IL, Shelly Terrando of Henry, IL, Timothy Gaines of Savoy, IL, Casey Pickens of Champaign, IL, Todd Pickens of Ohio, Susan (Dave) Mackle of Orland Park, IL, Kyle Pickens of Sheridan, IL, Melissa (Termaine) Scott and Nathan (Stephanie) Pickens of Rantoul, IL, Steve (Lisa) Pickens of Lincoln Hills, IL, Kris (Michael) Wilken of Normal, IL, and Sean (Pu) Biddle of Chicago. In addition to his parents and wife, Pierce was preceded in death by 4 brothers and three sisters-in-law, Glen (Reba) Pickens, Paul Pickens, Charles (Ruth) Pickens, Russell (Pauline) Pickens; 3 nephews, Carl Eddie Pickens, James Pickens and Bruce Waltrip; and 2 brothers-in-law, Lowell Davis and Dale Waltrip. Pic, as he was known to many, was a graduate of Champaign High School and furthered his education at the University of Illinois where he earned his Bachelors Degree in Education, with Minors in Political Science and Journalism. He was well educated as he also attained Masters Degrees in English, History and Counseling Psychology. During his years at the U of I, Pierce was a member of the Gymnastics Team and the Unicycle Club. In January of 1943 he was inducted into the United States Army faithfully serving his country during World War II as a member of the 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion and took part in battles and campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Mr. Pickens taught at the high school level in the Paxton and Sullivan, Illinois School Districts, and taught at the Kemper Military School in Missouri before a more than 35 year tenure at the Charleston High School. Pierce was brought up in the Episcopalian Church and as a youth played and participated in the Champaign Church League basketball program. He held memberships in several organizations which included the Charleston Moose Lodge #1388; the Charleston Elks B.P.O.E. #623, the National Education Association, the Illinois Teacher's Association and the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592. He was also on the board of the Coles County United Way and assisted in establishing the local chapter of the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Pic's interests were many and varied. He taught subjects such as English, History, Journalism, Civics, Consumer Ed and Sociology. He was an avid reader - he memorized poetry so it could be appropriately recited, and other favored interests to read and discuss were literature, history, anthropology, politics, sociology and theology. He led an active life - he played basketball, loved to golf, and enjoyed weight lifting, ice-skating and dancing. All the while teaching, Pic also moonlighted at the Charleston Times Courier as a writer and photographer, at the Cavins & Bayles Men's Store and during the summers as a union painter. Mr. Pickens was popular with his students as he took an active role as Junior Class Sponsor, helping with the concessions at the basketball and football games. He was sponsor for the Press Club and advisor for the staff of the Charleston Trojan Trumpet School Newspaper. His ability to walk on his hands was memorable not only for students but for fellow faculty members as well. Pep rallies often included Mr. Pickens walking the length of the gym on his hands and his athletic ability allowed him to even walk up steps, roll a ball, or do push-ups while standing on his hands. Pierce always made his presence known as he often whistled his favorite Broadway Show or Jazz tune while walking in the school hallways. Mr. Pickens loved to teach and many have benefited from being in his classroom. Pierce's family would like to acknowledge and thank the following friends for their visits: Laura Cleaver, Rick Everett, Carol Gaines, John and Tammy Hayes, Linda Knifley, Teresa Packer and Richard "Dick" Tarr; and the staff at the Brookstone Memory Care Wing for their compassionate and loving care that he received.
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