Wayne Pierre

Wayne Pierre died peacefully on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at the age of eighty-seven at the home of his daughter Marie Koch. He was born on June 15, 1929, in Casco, Wisconsin, the first child of five, to Wilfred and Mary (Fameree) Pierre. In 1938 he moved with his family to Leeman, WI where his parents owned and operated Pierre's Store. Wayne attended grade school at the one-room school house in Leeman across the road from the store. As Wayne was growing up, he helped his parents in the store, gas station and garage. In 1947 he graduated from Shiocton High School.
On June 14, 1950 he married Joyce A. Wittlin at St. Patrick's Church in Stephensville, Wisconsin. After his marriage, he worked as a delivery driver for the Service Bakery Company in Neenah. In 1952 he was drafted into the army, serving until 1954 as a Corporal and a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.
After his stint in the Army, he returned to working for the Service Bakery. His business acumen developed as he was promoted to various positions in the company such as superintendent, branch manager, and sales manager. During his time at Service Bakery, Wayne and Joyce lived and worked in Fond du Lac, Sun Prairie, and Appleton, WI and in Oklahoma City, OK. After the Service Bakery closed, Wayne began his career as a Realtor in Appleton, WI working for Honkamp Realty while continuing to keep up some of the bread routes that he had started with the Service Bakery. During these years, the children began to arrive. In 1968, Wayne and Joyce moved from Appleton to Leeman, WI to own and operate the family business, Pierre's Store.
For thirty-six years under Wayne and Joyce's care, Pierre's Store served as a cornerstone of the community. Wayne was a man of many talents and because of that the store provided not only gas and groceries but also tire service, aluminum can recycling, deer registration, bread delivery, the ability to place necessities on a tab and most importantly friendship.
In 2004, they retired and sold the business and moved to Black Creek, Wisconsin. Since 2010 they had been lovingly cared for in Menasha, Wisconsin at the home of daughter Marie (Craig) Koch.
Joyce preceded him in death on June 8, 2015. He was also preceded in death by an infant son Jason Pierre, his brother Everett Pierre, twelve in-laws, and two nephews.
Wayne is survived by his six children: Wilfred (Virginia) Pierre, Marie (Craig) Koch, Amy (Brian) Brownson, Laurie (Ralph) Fernandez, Peter (Allyson) Pierre and Jeremy (Nicole) Pierre. Sixteen have cherished him as their grandfather: Wayne (Sara) Pierre, Nicole (Lance) Hill, Susan (Kevin) Meyer, Donald Pierre, Monica (Matt) Coenen, Eric (fiancAC.e Mandy Swearingen) Koch, Meredith (Shiloh) Besaw, Theresa (Ross) Frey, Emily Brownson, Claire Fernandez, Joe Fernandez, Eva Fernandez, Grace Bennett-Pierre, Gabriel Pierre, Augustus Pierre and Neville Pierre. In addition Wayne is survived by eleven great-grandchildren: Lydia, Caleb, Ruth and Rachael Pierre; Jonas, Isaac, Johanna, and Chloe Hill; Joel and Elise Frey; and Thailia Besaw. He is further survived by his siblings Winnifred (Gerald) Wittlin, Nathalie Steede and Perry (Carol) Pierre; sisters-in-law and brothers-in law: Rose Stadler, Joan Pritzl, Bob (Dottie) Wittlin, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wayne was a hard worker and a good provider for his family. He had a twinkle in his eye, a spring in his step and a song in his heart.
Visitation will be held at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Navarino, Wisconsin, on Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will continue at the church on Friday, January 6, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. until the time of mass to celebrate his life at 11:00 a.m., with Fr. Theodore Hendricks officiating. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home, Seymour is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.muehlboettcher.com .
The family wishes to thank the staffs of St. Paul's at Home and Club Gabriel, Kaukauna for the care and support provided to Wayne and his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be directed to St. Lawrence Catholic Church or any of the above listed worthy organizations.