Maurice Wilbur Pierce, age 89 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at Century Villa Healthcare in Greentown following a brief illness. He was born on September 13, 1925 in Elwood, the son of Wilbur and Lucille (Shawhan) Pierce. He was a 1943 graduate of Windfall High School and enjoyed participating in basketball. After high school, he continued play in several independent basketball and baseball leagues. He devoted his entire life to farming on the Pierce Family Farm, and he founded Pierce Grain Company in Windfall in 1967. He married Jacqueline K. Elliot on June 15, 1946, and they shared 58 years of marriage before her passing in 2004. Maurice was a lifetime member of the Elwood Elks Lodge #368 and was an active member of the Tipton County Historical Society. He was also a past president and member of the Madison-Grant School corporation. Maurice enjoyed listening to country music - especially Willie's Roadhouse. He was also an avid Purdue, Elwood, and Tri-Central sports fan. Maurice was always willing to help anyone in need; but most of all, he will be remembered for his love toward his family.

Maurice's family includes 3 children, Steve (wife Jody) Pierce of Windfall, Tony Pierce of Elwood, and Cindy (husband Mick) Helpling of Elwood; brother, Truman (wife Marjorie) Pierce of Elwood; sister, Charline Webb (companion Larry Langley); 5 grandchildren, Angel (Trent) Dailey, Sunny (Blake) Stout, Stephen Hepling, Ashley Pierce, and Alex Pierce; 6 great-grandchildren, Chance Mason, Ashlyn Stout, Roman Dailey, Hadley Dailey, Eden Dailey, and Conner Pierce; a very dear friend, Virginia Etchison of Elwood; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jacqueline in 2004; and granddaughter Darcy Pierce in 2011.

A funeral service celebrating Maurice's life will be conducted at 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home with Maurice's good friend, Rich Leavell, officiating. Entombment will follow in the Pierce Family Mausoleum at Brookside Cemetery in Windfall. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 PM on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the funeral home and also one hour prior to the funeral on Sunday at the funeral home. The Elwood Elks Lodge will conduct a Memorial Service at 7:00 PM on Saturday evening. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Windfall Food Bank. Online condolences may be made to the Pierce family at www.copherfeslermay.com.