Rev. Joseph Quay Pearce

Rev. Joseph Quay Pearce, 74, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 30, 2017.

Joe was born and raised in the Punxsutawney area by his parents, Joe and Esther Pearce.

After graduating, he earned a bachelor's degree from God's Bible School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Joe returned to Punxsutawney and married the love of his life, Lois Cressley. They married in June of 1966, shortly before he was drafted into the service for his country.

Joe answered his call to the ministry after being discharged from the service, beginning with a small church in Spring Boro, Pa. The couple then moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Joe completed his Master of Divinity and was ordained at Nazarene Theological Seminary. They then moved to Ohio, where Joe spent the rest of his pastoral career.

Joe served first in the City of Massillon, Ohio, then at Rush Community outside of Urichsville, Ohio, before completing his ministry with 20-plus years in Cambridge, Ohio.

During his ministry, they had three children, adopted two children and foster-parented many others. He also served as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, where he attained the rank of major.

Upon retiring in 2007, Joe and Lois returned to the Punxsutawney area to be closer to their extended families. He loved his family and cherished time spent with them.

Joe loved being a pastor, and his congregations loved him and his family.

Joe is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lois; four children, Valerie (Chris) Powell, Matthew (Amanda) Pearce, John (Katalin) Pearce and Michael (Brittany) Pearce; six grandchildren, Christina Pearce, Kayla Pearce, Kyan Pearce, Payton Pearce, Hailee Pearce and Koby Pearce; three brothers, Ed Pearce, Tom (Linda) Pearce and Glen (Deb) Pearce; and eight siblings-in-law, Norma (Clayton) Riddle, Clara Cressley, Boyd (Nancy) Cressley, Carol Michael, Fred Cressley, Linda Farmery, Jackie (Terry) Temchula and Pam (Doug) Sprankle; plus too many nieces and nephews to count.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Esther Pearce; his parents-in-law, Ralph and Velma Cressley; a son, Timothy Pearce; four brothers-in-law, Jim Micheal, Merle "Bub" Cressley, Sherwin Farmery and Ronald "Gene" Cressley; and three sisters-in-law, Kaye Cressley, Pat Cressley and Diane Pearce.

Friends will be received from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2017, at the McCabe Funeral Home in Punxsutawney.

Additional viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., the time of service, on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at the Valley Chapel United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Bob Donato and Pastor Scott Henry officiating.

Interment will follow at Union Cemetery in Rossiter.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.mccabefuneralhomespa.com.