Max L. Pierce

Max Leroy Pierce, age 81, of Lansing, MI, passed away May 27, 2023, in Lansing. He was born April 12, 1942, in Lansing to the late Max Arlington and Viola Katherine (Rollman) Pierce.

Max was a lifelong resident of Lansing, graduating from Lansing Eastern High School and Michigan State University. He was also a member of the MSU Alumni Association. He proudly served in the Army from 1967-1969, during Vietnam, and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. He was honorably discharged from the reserves in 1973.

He married Deborah A. “Debby” Jessop in 1966. They co-owned the Lane Jessop Insurance Agency since 1978. He was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where he served on the Vestry, the building and grounds committee, and helped with almost all events at the church.

Max served as President of the Lansing Downtown Optimist Club from 1983-1984 and was a Life Member of Optimist International. He and Debby enjoyed many years together at their family cottage on Clifford Lake and enjoyed the ever changing seasonal views from their homes on the Lansing Country Club Golf Course.

He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Rebecca Budden and Cynthia Robinson, and his nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Debby in 2019; his brother, William Pierce; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Virginia and Lane Jessop; and all of his aunts and uncles.

There will be memorial service held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, with visitation at 10:00 a.m., at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 218 W. Ottawa St., Lansing, MI 48933. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan.  Arrangements are made by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.