James Edward Pearce

James Edward Pearce, 89, of Greenfield, died in his home at 2:12 p.m. September 25, 2012.
Born August 20, 1923, in New Petersburg, Ohio, he was the son of Jacob Wesley and Elizabeth Ridgeway Pearce.
Mr. Pearce was a graduate of McClain High School where in 1923 he was Thespian of the Year. He attended Bliss Business College and State University of Columbus. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree at Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
Mr. Pearce served with the United States Army 8th Air Force in Europe during World War II.
On July 20, 1947, he married the former Mona Garman, who preceded him in death on March 15, 2010.
He was employed by Fisher Body Division of General Motors, Hamilton, Ohio, in the accounting department. He and Mona owned and operated a family style restaurant in Hamilton prior to returning to Greenfield and joining his parents in operating Pearce's Restaurant and Bakery, which closed in 1972. The Pearce family operated the restaurant for 32 years.
Mr. Pearce served as chairman of the Greenfield Democratic Party for many years and as a member of the Highland County Democratic Central and Executive Committees for more than 20 years.
He was elected Greenfield Village Clerk and served in this capacity during the Sesqui-Centennial years (1948-49.) He also served as Greenfield City Auditor, 1968-1970.
Mr. Pearce went on to work for the Auditor of the State of Ohio. In his capacity as assistant auditor, he audited municipalities, counties, townships and schools for 20 years, retiring in 1988. He is the only known individual to serve as both the auditor of the City of Greenfield as well as clerk of the Village of Greenfield and to return as a State of Ohio assistant auditor to audit Greenfield city records.
He compiled a record of former mayors and obtained their pictures, had them framed and displayed in Greenfield City Council Chambers. The pictures were first hung during the 1949 sesqui-centennial celebration.
Mr. Pearce was a member of the Greenfield Masonic Lodge #318; the American Legion Post 0014 of Bainbridge; a life member of the Greenfield Historical Society; a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #1325; the Highland County Senior Citizens; the Concerned Veterans of Greenfield; the McClain High School Alumni Association; a 40-year member of the Greenfield Elks Lodge and a charter member of the Greenfield Lions Club.
A lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield, he served as both a trustee and elder.
He is survived by his three children, Dr. James J. Pearce of Washington, Ill., Cindi (Don Dietrich) Pearce of Greenfield and David C. Pearce of Lima; five grandchildren, Jacob (Jocelyn) Davis Pearce-Dietrich of Greenfield, Pearce (Dr. Brenda Dickman) Gallagher Dietrich of Rocky Mount, Va.; Liza Ridgeway Dietrich of Cincinnati, and Aaron Charles and Shoshana Elizabeth Pearce of East Peoria, Ill.; one great-grandchild, Jada Pearce- Dietrich; his former daughter-in-law, Alice Gold-Pearce of East Peoria, Ill.; a sister-in-law, Joellen McHenry Pearce of Pensacola Beach, Fla.; two brothers-in-law, Walt Garman of Hillsboro and George G. Garman of Pittsburgh, Pa.; many nieces and nephews, and his loving friend and caretaker, Lori Clouser.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mona; his sister Roberta Pearce McCray; his brother, Dr. George Franklin Pearce and two brothers-in-law, Jack Garman and Dane Garman.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, 2012 at Anderson-Ebright Funeral Home in Greenfield, Ohio with Rev. Terry Washburn officiating. Burial will follow in Greenfield Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Concerned Veterans of Greenfield. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. where a Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Veterans Appreciation Service. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Concerned Veterans of Greenfield, c/o James L. Walker 232 Edgewood Ave., Greenfield, OH 45123. Those wishing to sign his on-line Book of Memories may do so at www.ebrightfuneralhome.com.