Clifford Frederick Pierce, 85

Born: January 18, 1940

Died: June 27, 2025

Clifford Frederick Pierce, 85, of Woodstock (Marengo) IL, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, June 27, 2025.

He was born on Jan. 18, 1940, in Charlevoix, Mich., to Dorris and Charles Pierce. He was raised by his mother, Dorris (Struthers) (Pierce) Pearsall, and his stepfather, Claude Pearsall, as the second of five siblings. He attended Charlevoix schools and graduated from Charlevoix High School, where he enjoyed playing basketball. Following high school, he went on to attend and graduate from butcher school in Toledo, Ohio, later utilizing these skills in Charlevoix, Mich., and then later in Woodstock at Pierce’s Little Store. He worked at Woodstock Die Cast for many years and during his later years was a greeter at Walmart. His favorite pasttimes included John Wayne western movies and volunteering as Santa as part of the Lions Club during the holiday season at the little red hut on the Square. He could be always be found attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, music recitals, and school events, where he was their biggest fan!

Clifford met the love of his life, Charla V. Johansen, while she was teaching at Interlochen Arts Academy, when he saw her in a local grocery store and asked to carry her groceries to her car, which was just the beginning their long love story. They married on June 19, 1965. They resided in Petoskey, Mich., for one year and then moved to Woodstock, which is where they raised their family and resided for 50 years.

He is survived by three daughters: Shawn C. (Curtis) Anderson of Huntley, and their three daughters, Sydney R. Anderson, Madalyn E. Anderson, and Myranda L. Anderson; Charla L. Pierce of Schaumburg and her son, Donovan F. Amos; and Alyssa R. Whiting of Marengo and her son, Devin C. Whiting, and daughter, Lauren A. (Sean) Herron and their daughter, Isla Joan (great-granddaughter); and one son, Barry C.C. (JamieGaller) Pierce of Woodstock and their two sons, Elijah J. Pierce and Benjamin C.C. Pierce, and one daughter, Hailey Alexandra Galler. He is also survived by his sister, Joy (Jim) Price of Charlevoix, Mich., and sisters-in-law, Judy (Charles) Pierce and Karen (Barry D.) Pierce.

Cliff was preceded in death by his wife, Charla V. Johansen-Pierce; his parents; stepfather; brothers, Charles Pierce and Barry D. Pierce; sister, Karen (Jack) Vincent; and a niece and nephew.

Services will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Woodstock, with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. and a celebration of life at 11 a.m., led by Rev. Young Sun Lee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Woodstock or the Woodstock Lions Club.

Arrangements are in the care of Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home at 815-338-1710 or visit slmcfh.com.