Norman Charles Pierce, age 78, of Canton PA passed away on January 24th 2022 with his wife and daughters by his side. Norman was born on March 28th 1943 to Charles Merton and Dortha Norman Pierce in Canton.
Norman graduated from North Penn Blossburg High School in 1960 and Mansfield State College in 1964 earning his Bachelor of Science in Education. He then finished his Master of Science in Education while attending Penn State and Elmira College in 1974.
On January 1st 1965 he married Sharon Terry of Mansfield Pennsylvania. They met as young teenagers at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Blossburg and were later married there. Shortly after marriage they headed to California for his first teaching position. They lived in Fairfield CA for 2 years and in 1968 returned to Pennsylvania accepting a position in Westchester PA where he remained there a year. Wanting to be closer to family they returned to Canton, PA where he taught at the Elementary level from 1969-1987. During this time, he enjoyed teaching for a year in Ralston, the last year before the Ralston school officially closed.
He is most remembered for his love of science experiments and the rocket club where the whole school would gather outside to see the rockets soar into the air. Always feeling a call to go into the Ministry, Norman left the public school and accepted a position at Elmira Christian Academy as the Headmaster of the school. After 2 years he returned to Canton PA, at which point he accepted the position as the Pastor of The First Baptist Church. He also worked for New Covenant Academy the first year of his Pastorship. He Pastored at the Church from 1989-2009. Upon retirement he continued to serve in many capacities within the church. During their time in Canton, Norman and Sharon also opened their home to numerous foster children.
Norman had a variety of interests and hobbies over the years. In his younger adult years, he enjoyed collecting stamps and gemstones. He also made jewelry and sold his pieces at the Canton Mini Park on the weekends. He was an accomplished photographer and loved taking pictures of nature and of his family throughout the years. He was an avid Mansfield University Basketball fan and took his grandchildren to games with him frequently. Two of his favorite interests were books and flowers. Norman could often be found outside working in his flower gardens and doing landscaping projects around his home and the church. As a Pastor, Norman would spend many hours reading books and spending time in the Word of God. His book collection was shared with many of his friends and church members.
He had a very adventurous spirit and loved exploring and finding new places to visit throughout the United States. He enjoyed taking his family on vacations in the summers and always found a way to make them fun as well as educational. He also attended many Church conferences and would take many of his leaders from the church with him.
Norman was predeceased by his parents and his sister Marilyn Pierce Gaylord. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Sharon Pierce. Son, Terry (Susan) Pierce, Daughters Pamela (Christian) Thoren and Melinda (Sean) Tymeson. Grandchildren Brandon Pierce, Christian Thoren , Brionna Kelley, Madison Thoren, Elizabeth Tymeson, Gabrielle McNett, Emmeline Tymeson and Carolyn Thoren. Great Grandchildren Judah, Noah, Lenora and soon to be twin girls. He is also survived by his brother, Phillip (Beth) Pierce of Wellsboro Pa. Sisters Joan (Larry) Wheeler of Cherry Flats, Pa. Janice (Harold) House of Blossburg and Karen (Skip) Warriner of Wellsboro.
Services will be held at Lighthouse Church, Canton Pa on January 29th. Visiting hours will be from 12:30-2:00 with the Celebration of Life beginning at 2. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Lighthouse Church, 141 East Main Street Canton, PA 17724.
Norman graduated from North Penn Blossburg High School in 1960 and Mansfield State College in 1964 earning his Bachelor of Science in Education. He then finished his Master of Science in Education while attending Penn State and Elmira College in 1974.
On January 1st 1965 he married Sharon Terry of Mansfield Pennsylvania. They met as young teenagers at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Blossburg and were later married there. Shortly after marriage they headed to California for his first teaching position. They lived in Fairfield CA for 2 years and in 1968 returned to Pennsylvania accepting a position in Westchester PA where he remained there a year. Wanting to be closer to family they returned to Canton, PA where he taught at the Elementary level from 1969-1987. During this time, he enjoyed teaching for a year in Ralston, the last year before the Ralston school officially closed.
He is most remembered for his love of science experiments and the rocket club where the whole school would gather outside to see the rockets soar into the air. Always feeling a call to go into the Ministry, Norman left the public school and accepted a position at Elmira Christian Academy as the Headmaster of the school. After 2 years he returned to Canton PA, at which point he accepted the position as the Pastor of The First Baptist Church. He also worked for New Covenant Academy the first year of his Pastorship. He Pastored at the Church from 1989-2009. Upon retirement he continued to serve in many capacities within the church. During their time in Canton, Norman and Sharon also opened their home to numerous foster children.
Norman had a variety of interests and hobbies over the years. In his younger adult years, he enjoyed collecting stamps and gemstones. He also made jewelry and sold his pieces at the Canton Mini Park on the weekends. He was an accomplished photographer and loved taking pictures of nature and of his family throughout the years. He was an avid Mansfield University Basketball fan and took his grandchildren to games with him frequently. Two of his favorite interests were books and flowers. Norman could often be found outside working in his flower gardens and doing landscaping projects around his home and the church. As a Pastor, Norman would spend many hours reading books and spending time in the Word of God. His book collection was shared with many of his friends and church members.
He had a very adventurous spirit and loved exploring and finding new places to visit throughout the United States. He enjoyed taking his family on vacations in the summers and always found a way to make them fun as well as educational. He also attended many Church conferences and would take many of his leaders from the church with him.
Norman was predeceased by his parents and his sister Marilyn Pierce Gaylord. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Sharon Pierce. Son, Terry (Susan) Pierce, Daughters Pamela (Christian) Thoren and Melinda (Sean) Tymeson. Grandchildren Brandon Pierce, Christian Thoren , Brionna Kelley, Madison Thoren, Elizabeth Tymeson, Gabrielle McNett, Emmeline Tymeson and Carolyn Thoren. Great Grandchildren Judah, Noah, Lenora and soon to be twin girls. He is also survived by his brother, Phillip (Beth) Pierce of Wellsboro Pa. Sisters Joan (Larry) Wheeler of Cherry Flats, Pa. Janice (Harold) House of Blossburg and Karen (Skip) Warriner of Wellsboro.
Services will be held at Lighthouse Church, Canton Pa on January 29th. Visiting hours will be from 12:30-2:00 with the Celebration of Life beginning at 2. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Lighthouse Church, 141 East Main Street Canton, PA 17724.
