Michael Ray Pierson, 71, of Sterling, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on April 20,

2026, in Apache Junction, Arizona, where he wintered happily with his loving wife and

his cats, Hank and Harley. Though his passing leaves an immeasurable void, his family

rejoices in knowing he is at peace in the presence of his Lord and Savior.

Mike was born on March 5, 1955, to Raymond and Lucia (Beveroth) Pierson, in Sterling,

Illinois. He graduated from Sterling High School in 1973. He married Sally Bohlken on

May 30, 1975. He later married Barbara Bays on June 22, 2019, in Rock Falls, Illinois,

making her feel like a princess for the day, and a queen for all their days together. She

was the love of his life.

   Mike was a dedicated, hardworking man throughout his life. He began working on his

family farm and went on to spend most of his career as a farm equipment mechanic. He

also enjoyed working at Wilbert Vault Company in Sterling. He was a well-known scrap

collector and never met a hunk of junk he didn’t find value in. Mike was patient and

talented, able to fix just about anything. From broken hearts to broken harvesters, he

was the man to call. After retiring from large equipment repair, he ran his own small

engine repair business, traveling to garages, driveways and yards across the Sauk

Valley, fixing lawn mowers and just about anything else in need of repair.

Mike’s greatest gift to this world is the love he poured into others. He was kind, honest

to a fault, gentle, funny, and easy going. His generous and thoughtful nature was

unshakable and unmatched. His smile could light up a room, and his laugh filled the

cracks of any weary soul. His kind eyes and quiet reassurance made every person he

met feel special, appreciated, understood, and loved. Mike had a deep love for music

and worship. He stood tall in the back row of the church choir at the Rock Falls United

Methodist Church, where he enjoyed singing with his wife and daughter. He also loved

singing karaoke, where many affectionately referred to him as ‘Big Mike’, ‘Josh Turner’,

and ‘Johnny Cash’ because of his beautiful, deep voice.

Above all, Mike cherished his family. He loved his daughters more than anything and

was endlessly proud of them and of his grandchildren. He was a devoted husband who

loved his wife deeply.

   Mike is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Pierson; his daughters, Megan (Daniel)

Huffman, and Melissa Pierson (William Utter); his brother, Curtis (Donna) Pierson, his

sisters, Ingrid (Tim) Schalk, and Rhonda (Will) Baumgarten; his grandchildren Jacob

and Emily Huffman, Alexandria Schick (Benjamin Jacobson), Alexander Pierson, Nicole

Utter and Cale Utter, brother in law Steven Dawn Dirks, as well as his beloved nieces,

nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

   Mike was preceded in death in by his parents, Raymond and Lucia Pierson; his parents

in-law, Kenneth and Helen (Miller) Dirks; and one grandson, Jackson Lee Mayes.

   Memorial Service will be held at 2 PM Sunday, June 14, 2026 at Rock Falls United Methodist Church, Rock Falls. Visitation will be from 12-2PM 

prior to the service.

   Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com.