Francis “Frank” L. Pierce, 80, passed away peacefully at his home on December 31, 2021. As a young man, Frank proudly served in the US Air Force from May 14, 1959 thru May 13, 1965. His military service brought him to many foreign lands to include Africa and England where he learned skills in missile armament, mechanic and machine gun repair. The training he received in the Air Force led him to a lifetime career in the repair business. He started a small appliance repair shop and enjoyed repairing and tinkering with the different appliances people brought in. He was always willing to repair any of the family’s appliances whenever they had problems.
He loved to dance, travel to air shows, attend stock car races, and he had a fascination with computers, radios, shortwave and electronics, and all tools, and gadgets. Every car he ever owned, was bedecked with multiple antennae and easily recognized as his.
He is survived by his four children, Scott Pierce, Heather Pierce, Dawn Smartnick (Ron) and John Pierce (Amber). Grandchildren, Beau and Gavin Pierce, Ethan and Caleb Smartnick, Rheanna, Brayden and Brody Pierce. Siblings, Joseph (Connie) Pierce, Patricia Yachechak, Michele Franich, Mary Durkin, many nieces and nephews and the extended family members of the Franich family. He will be greatly missed by his dear friend of many years, Sis Franich.
He was preceded in death by his father, John C. Pierce, mother Frances G. Woods, stepdad Charles B. Woods, sisters Donna Larson, Rosemary Mattioli, brothers in-law Charles Larson and Michael T. Franich and the mother of his children, Sharon Baker.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Copper King Inn, 4655 Harrison Ave., Butte, MT in Copper Room #1 with Military Honors to follow. Frank’s family invites you to join them in fellowship at a reception immediately following the service in Copper Room #1 at the Copper King Inn.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Frank.
Axelson Cremation and Funeral Services has been privileged to care for Frank and his family.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Saturday January 8, 2022
The Copper King Inn, Copper Room #1
4655 Harrison Ave.
Butte, MT 59701
Reception
Immediately Following Service
Thursday January 6, 2022
The Copper King Inn, Copper Room #1
4655 Harrison Ave.
Butte, MT 59701
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Saturday January 8, 2022
The Copper King Inn, Copper Room #1
4655 Harrison Ave.
Butte, MT 59701
Reception
Immediately Following Service
Thursday January 6, 2022
The Copper King Inn, Copper Room #1
4655 Harrison Ave.
Butte, MT 59701
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Cindy Mattioi says
My Dear Uncle Frank, Goodbyes are not the end… They simply mean I’ll miss you until we meet again. I’ll think about you always, and talk about you still, you have never been forgotten, and you never will. I hold you close within my heart, and there you will remain, until we meet again. The beauty of a memory is that it’s always there and you can take it anywhere!!! So as you travel on in life, know that there is a loved one who loves you so!!! I’ll think of you always, I cherish the memories with which I’ll never part. I will always have you in my heart!!! Your wings were ready and your Angels were waiting with open arms….
I rest my heart knowing you are in the loving arms of those who have passed…
I will always be grateful for all you did for My Dear Mom “Rosemary” when she was in need….
Now she wraps her Loving Arms Around You….
Rest In Peace My Dear Uncle Frank. With Much Love, Cindy
Maureen Britton says
Dear Joe and Connie and all of the Pierce family,
I am so sorry for your loss of your beloved brother. It is obvious from this obituary that Frank led a full and satisfying life with many blessings. But, that doesn’t soften the loss for any of us. It is always too soon when someone leaves this world. We just never want them to go. My heart goes out to all of you during this time of sadness. May he rest in peace.
Sincerely, Maureen Britton
PAUL BOLTON says
Dear Patti:
Sorry to learn of your brother’s passing. I offer my prayers for his journey to heaven. He was a member of my wife’s class in high school. Best wishes.
Dan Lacey says
Joe, Connie, Pat, Mickey, & Mary, we are so sorry to hear about Frank’s passing. I remember Frank always stopping by Chuck & Rose’s house for coffee between his jobs. Mom & Dad always looked forward to his visits, and they enjoyed all of his daily stories. He always had plenty of smiles & laughs for everybody. Frank will be missed by all of us, may he Rest In Peace. Love Dan, Laurie Lacey & family.
Carlo says
To all of Franks family and friends, so very sorry for your loss, I always enjoyed Frank, he was always a cheerful fella, got to know Frank through Dave and His Mom.
Sean Cunneen Pierce says
My best memory of Uncle Frank is the time that he and my dad, Joe, drove together from Montana to California, and, among other things, visited my 8th grade class down here in Paso Robles. Seeing them side by side, behaving like brothers, was both a riot and a revelation. So similar and yet so different. Just like all brothers. And sisters. Those who have come before us, and those who are with us still. Now more than ever, we need to appreciate and love each other while we can. Frank was a good man, and a good uncle, and a good brother to my father and my aunts. So, with that in mind, I’d like to honor Frank’s memory with this last stanza from Swinburne’s “Ave Atque Vale” (Hail And Farewell)
For thee, O now a silent soul, my brother,
Take at my hands this garland, and farewell.
Thin is the leaf, and chill the wintry smell,
And chill the solemn earth, a fatal mother,
With sadder than the Niobean womb,
And in the hollow of her breasts a tomb.
Content thee, howsoe’er, whose days are done;
There lies not any troublous thing before,
Nor sight nor sound to war against thee more,
For whom all winds are quiet as the sun,
All waters as the shore.
Justin says
Goodbye, Mr. Frank
You were such a good friend to me and I miss you living next door. I think of you often and hope you’re healthy and happy again and I’ll see ya again sometime.