VERGENNES, Tross A. Pierson, 80, of Vergennes, passed away at 11:06 AM Saturday, December 17, 2011, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro, Illinois. Tross was born September 21, 1931 in Jackson County, Illinois the son of Joseph L. and Maudie Herring Pierson. He married Evelyn Michels on June 16, 1951 at Vergennes, IL and they shared 60 years of marriage. Tross was retired from Natural Gas and Pipeline Co. after 35 years and from Carbondale Mosquito Abatement after 20 years. Tross was a member of the Faith United Methodist Church, Vergennes. He was also a member of the Vergennes Volunteer Fire Dept., a former member of Jackson County Board for 17 years, and was the Vergennes Township Democratic Prescient committeeman. In younger years he enjoyed hunting arrowheads. He loved going to church and spending time with his family. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He also loved hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be greatly missed by all. Tross is survived by his wife and mother of his four children: Evelyn Pierson, Vergennes, IL; 3 daughters: Janet (Benny) Garner, Vergennes, IL, Charlotte (John) McLaughlin, Murphysboro, IL, Barbara (Matt) Mason, Vergennes, IL; son: Tross A. (Molly) Pierson, Jr., Vergennes, IL; 11 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandson; 2 sisters: Geraldine Reiman, Murphysboro, IL, Dorothy (Glenn) Bryant, Murphysboro, IL and 4 sisters-in-law: Fairy Hawk of Olney, IL, Pansy Michels of Elizabethtown, KY, Elsie Steele of Murphysboro, and Mary Pierson of Murphysboro; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Tross is preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers: Norman, Randle and Donald. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Faith United Methodist Church in Vergennes with Rev. Angie Baughman and Rev. Paul Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Parrish Cemetery, Vergennes, IL. Visitation will be at Faith United Methodist Church in Vergennes on Tuesday from 5 to 8 pm and on Wednesday from 9 to 11 am. The preferred form of remembrance is contributions to Faith United Methodist Church. Funeral arrangements are under auspices of Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava.