Irl Eugene Pierce, 78, passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2004, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, KS.

Irl was born February 18, 1926, at Tribune, KS, the son of Paul W. and Mildred Pringle Pierce. Following graduation in 1944 from Osawatomie High School in Osawatomie, KS, he immediately entered the United States Navy. Irl had been co-owner and operator of Pierce Lumber Company in Tribune since 1983.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church and VFW Post #7521, both at Tribune, and Anthem Masonic Lodge in Scott City, Kansas. He was president of the Tribune Bowling, Inc. and was a Boy Scout leader for many years.

On October 24, 1948, he married Irene Doris Numechek at Tribune. She survives.

Othere survivors include two sons, Michael Eugene Pierce of Port Neches, TX, and Bruce Wayne Pierce of Tribune; one daughter, Myra Jo Stewart of Tribune; one brother, Richard Pierce of Farmington, UT; one sister, Melba Garrison of Colorado Springs, CO; six grandsons, two step-granddaughers, and three step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ira Robert Pierce; and an infant daughter, Denise Kay Pierce.

Funeral services were held Saturday, December 18, 2004, at the United Methodist Church in Tribune, with Reverend Gary Gooding officiating. Burial was in Greeley County Cemetery, Tribune, with military graveside honors presented by the Fort Riley Funeral Honors detail from Fort Riley, KS.

Memorials may be given to the United Methodist Church or Greeley County Hospital in care of the funeral home.