Loye C. Pierce

Loye C. Pierce, "Big Daddy", passed away January 18, 2021 following several years of extended illnesses.

Loye was born in Westover, PA to the late Elsie and Phillip Pierce on March 6, 1935.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Nora Westover, and wife, JoAnn (nee Schanholtz).

He is survived by his sisters, Geraldine Lewis and Peggy Lewis; stepson, Roy Schanholtz (Jennifer); fiancée Ann; daughters, Diane Yost and Lorie Pierce; sons, Calvin Pierce (Evelyn), Michael Pierce (Gloria), Timothy Pierce (Diane); 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, during the recession and pre-World War II strife, he learned the trades of farming, logging, scrapping and repair of almost anything. He was especially proud of his 1937 Buick that he had parted together. His buddies "couldn't catch him" running through the hills.

As he became a teenager, he was active in the Clearfield County Church of Christ, helping out when he could. Around the age of 15 he joined a local timber and logging farm that clean cut hundreds of acres of Pennsylvania hills. His late teen years he moved to New York State where road construction was just beginning for the New York freeway. His mechanical skills came in handy as he could not only learn and run this equipment, but he could aide in repairing it too.

In the early 1950s Loye followed the expanding economy to Akron, Ohio where he has resided ever since. His ability to drive and repair "almost anything on wheels" helped him find endless job opportunities.

To support his young, growing family, he worked the automotive industry, starting his own body and repair garage, finally hiring in at Yankee Lines, an over the road freight handling company. Yankee Lines was then bought out by Mason Dixon Lines. A tragic accident in February of 1984 ended his road driving when he was hit head on by a driver who had fallen asleep, crossing a divided highway hitting him head on, breaking his back in five places.

Loye's home was noted as "the place to go" on Saturday nights. He held weekly corn roasts for all of the neighborhood kids, and jam sessions put on by the kids were a weekly event.

Throughout his busy lifestyle he stayed faithful to his Church of Christ as a visiting pastor. For years, he annually traveled to the Iowa/Missouri Church Camp area where he donated his time, knowledge of repairing structures as needed, he was constantly requested.

Calling hours will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd. Akron, OH on Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. with a service at 3 p.m., the Reverend Jonathan Hauerwas to officiate.

Internment will take place in Western PA at a later date. Respecting Loye's love of animals, in lieu of flowers, please direct memorial donations to a Humane or Rescue Society of your choice.