Minnie Pearce

Minnie Pearce (nee Horvitz), longtime South Haven resident, has been eternally reunited with her husband, Norman Pearce, peacefully departing in her sleep Sunday, October 27, 2013 just in time for their anniversary.

Minnie was born February 28, 1925 in New Jersey and grew up in Chicago, touring with Shipsted & Johnson's roller skating dancers and working in her father's book bindery when they were not “on the road”. After moving to South Haven with her husband, they owned and operated a photo studio together, until 1956, where Minnie skillfully developed and color-tinted black & white family portraits.

She was passionately involved with many organizations over the years including the Civil Air Patrol, Welcome Wagon, Bnai Brith, Camp Fire Girls, Michigan Landlords Association, Michigan Flywheelers Museum, Mid-Michigan Train Association, Florida Live Steamers, and the Tri-State Locomotive club. She had been an active member, and, for many years, trustee and secretary at the First Hebrew Congregation. 

Minnie collected murder mysteries by Earl Stanley Gardner, matchbook covers, cookie jars, and English Biscuit Tins and Shared her love of antiques, mini-golf, roller skating, scale model trains to ride on (she owned her own Super-Mac engine), penchant for education, motorhome wanderlust and enthusiasm for life with many people. She was online playing Solitaire, Jigsaw Puzzles and Pool daily, had auctions on Listia and e-Bay, and checked her Facebook page constantly to the amazement of all.

Minnie was preceded in death by her beloved  Grandparents; Betty and Morris Ochs of DesMoines, Iowa; parents, Sarah Hjelte and Martin Horvitz of Chicago, Ill.; daughter, GayLee Pearce (mother of Benjamin Pearce of South Haven, MI) and ten infant/stillborn children.

Minnie was a devoted mother and is survived by her eldest daughter, BethAnn Pearce of South Haven (Mother of John Faidley of Florida and Dennis Davis of Tennessee, son Joseph (Kim) Pearce of Stuart, FL; father of Seth Pearce of Florida and Stefani (Vince) Pearce of Florida (mother of Makayla and Dominic) and Grandson 
Benjamin (Christian) Pearce of South Haven, MI (father of MaryJane Sunshine and Sativa Meadow).
 
A well attended Orthodox burial took place at the First Hebrew Congregation Cemetery in South Haven, MI., Tuesday, Oct 29th with moving cantorials and commentary by Lou Price. A gathering was held afterward at the synagogue. 

The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven, (269) 637-0333. Please, no floral arrangements or plants... Memorial DONATIONS in her honor may be sent to "The Damsite Rail Road TRUST" at Chemical Bank's Suburban Branch at M-43 and Blue Star Hwy in South Haven, MI. (See manager Dorothy Lockwood; 269-639-1073.)