Alan William Pierce

Al was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. In his late teens, he volunteered for the Army. After being stationed in Germany he went to Vietnam where he became a sergeant in a Duster tank unit. Upon returning home he became a draftsman, but that job was not for him. He applied to and was accepted by the Rockford, Illinois, Police Department, a job he dearly loved. Due to unfortunate circumstances Al had to leave the department on disability but that didn’t deter him. He started a screen-printing business in his house (including a tie-dyed bathtub) which grew to become Inkwell Art. He also worked as a PI while building the business. After selling Inkwell Art and moving to Colorado, Al wanted to learn something new, so he did a stint repairing vacuum cleaners and sewing machines after which he focused on building a beach paradise in his yard, enjoying the mountains and pursuing his passions of collecting antique toys and building HO train layouts with his dioramas being his pride and joy.

His love of art and crazy sense of humor shone through in many ways but most memorable were his cartoons, Christmas bulbs and annual Christmas display depicting meaningful parts of our lives.

Above all, Al was proud of his children and grandchildren who meant the world to him.

Al is survived by his loving wife and partner of 33 years Janet (Jan) Pierce, his children - Corey (Kayla) Pierce, Kerry (Gina) Treadman, Abbey (Tony) Malk, brother Richard (Virginia) Pierce, brother-in-law Alan Smith, sister-in-law Barb Smith, sister-in-law Julie (Todd) Swanson, eleven grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his dog Buddy.

A Memorial Service followed by Military Honors will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 27th, 2022 at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 8800 N. Alpine Road, Machesney Park, IL 61115. In-lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Al’s name to Wounded Warriors Project – https://woundedwarriorproject.org or Greater Goods Charities – Care Packs for Homeless Dogs & Vets -https://store.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/products/00006-care-packs-for-homeless-veterans-their-pets?variant=29716825899083. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com for the Pierce Family.