John L. Pearse, 79, of Rockford, IL, passed away Sunday evening, February 8, 2015. John was born April 24, 1935, son of Maynard and Emily (Lyford) Pearse. He graduated from Belvidere High School in 1953. John married the love of his life, Shirley Williams Haffenden on June 5, 1954. John was in the United States Marine Reserves. He was a farmer, and worked at Woodward Governor, retiring in 1991 after working there for 27 years. John and Shirley traveled fulltime for 21 years around the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He was a member of Guilford Hope Grange. John learned how to make maple syrup from his ancestors and some of his children continue the tradition today.
John is loved and will be missed by his wife, Shirley; children, Arnold (Debra) Pearse, Penny Kolb, Danny (Nancy) Pearse, Terri (Paul) Burnell, Gerri (William) Scheider; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Douglas Pearse, Kenneth Pearse, Bill Pearse, Margie Trimmer, Sharon Waugh and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave, Belvidere, IL with Karen Williams officiating. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, February 13, 2015 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Guilford Hope Grange or Salvation Army. To light a candle or share a condolence, please visit www.AndersonFCS.com.