Julian Dean Pierce

MORTON - Julian Dean Pierce, 85, of Morton, passed away Wednesday, March 25, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born on March 5, 1941 in Little Rock, AR, to Edgar Dewey and Thelma Elby (McGinty) Pierce. Dean married Launa Stevenson on August 6, 1961, in Peoria, Illinois.

Surviving are his wife, Launa Pierce of Morton; children, Shari (Patrick) Wright of Morton, Robert (Kimberly) Pierce of Rice Lake, WI and Jeffrey (Melinda) Pierce of Goodfield; grandchildren, Derek (Rachel) Eastman of Congerville, Sarah Eastman of Tremont, Dean (Verenice) Eastman of Helotes, TX, Courtney (Lamar) Nygaard of Woodbury, MN, Caleb (Lesleigh) Pierce of Rice Lake, WI, Noah (Becca) Pierce of Helotes, TX, Easton (Ashley) Pierce of Belton, MO, Brittnee Hill of Ramsey, MN, Brooke (Collin) Flanigan of Washington, Victoria (Ethan) Hopp of Peoria and Jordan Pierce of IA; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and siblings, Lois Dahl-Chesney of Sherwood, AR and Sharon (Gary) Ingold of Springfield, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Eugene Pierce, Vera King, Dorothy Heslep and Edgar "E. D." Pierce.

Dean graduated from Manual High School in 1959. He was part of the mad hatter club. After high school Dean attended trade school and worked as an apprentice painter for August Schmidt and later was a foreman for George Young and Sons as a professional painter including high-rise buildings, smoke stacks and water towers. He and his wife owned Stevenson's Home Fashion Center in Eureka. He also worked for Contempri Homes and Legacy Built Homes in sales and home design and Mangold Ford.

He enjoyed family time, fishing, golf, softball and puzzles. He loved attending his children and grandchildren's activities and sporting events. He was a natural at sales and never met a stranger. He always had a dad joke ready and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. With Launa by his side, they always made church a priority for their family and encouraged each one to put God in the center of their lives.

He was a member of Minier Assembly of God church and a former member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God in E. Peoria and Painters Union Local 57.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Minier Assembly of God at 604 South Minier Ave. Minier, IL 61759, with Pastor Ron Marsiglio officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 6 at the church. Further visitation will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, prior to the funeral service. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memory Gardens in Morton.

Memorials may be made to:

Minier Assembly of God http://minierag.churchcenter.com/giving/to/memorial-donation

David & Donna Delp missionaries to South Africa http://s1.ag.org/delp or

David & Debbie Amsler missionaries to Guatemala, http://bitly/4s3xduD

The church can facilitate the offerings for all three charities.

To view the funeral online: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B1KVY8Xrz/?nubextud=wwXlfr

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home in Morton is handling arrangements. To leave an online condolence for the family visit www.knappjohnson.com.