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In Memoriam

Sumpter man served at Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal in World War II

This year, the Sumpter Country Festival theme, Honoring Mr. Pieche was a proud
Our Veterans, could not have a more fitting example of serv- Marine often expressing
ice that Mr. Edward C. Pieche, a lifelong resident of his wonder at his own sur-
Sumpter Township and a proud World War II Marine Corps vival when his unit lost 72
veteran. percent of those who
Mr. Pieche, born and raised in Sumpter Township, served. He often remarked
passed away Dec. 9, 2018 at the age of 96. that he defied the odds to
He was the son of Charles and Mary (Zemanek) Pieche return home to Sumpter
who homesteaded in the township following their journey to Township to share his expe-
the United States from Poland in the early 1900s. The riences and wisdom as a
youngest of eight children, Mr. Pieche only completed his hometown resident.
formal education through the eighth grade. He learned life After leaving the service,
lessons as he worked on the family farm during the Great Mr. Pieche worked as a tool
Depression. As a 14-year-old, he was picking crops, packing and die maker at Purolator
the produce, loading the baskets and driving a truck to for many years. Later in
Eastern Market where he sold his wares all day. life, he made the decision to Veteran Edward C. Pieche
When the become a full-time farmer
attack on Pearl on the family homestead. Everything he grew had to be up
Harbor occurred, to his exacting standards of taste. He often remarked that
Mr. Pieche imme- his produce had to be the best. Mr. Pieche was also the
diately joined the owner of Belvil Sod Farm.
Marine Corps. He was a life-long member of St. Anthony Catholic
While serving in Church were he served as an altar boy in his childhood.
the armed servic- Among his many hobbies were bowling, playing Euchre
es he landed at and singing with his family and friends. He appreciated all
G u a m , that the outdoors had to offer whether trapping as a young
Guadalcanal, boy or fishing an hunting in his later years.
Bourgainville and Mr. Pieche was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years,
Iwo Jima. He was Barbara, and five sisters and two brothers. Among his sur-
present at the his- vivors are his daughter Brenda (Charlie) Gohl; a grand-
toric raising of the daughter, Megan (Cameron Coburn) and two great-grand-
flag at Iwo Jima children, and a multitude of friends.
memorialized in The Sumpter Country Festival Committee members are
the monument in pleased to honor Mr. Pieche and his service to his country at
Marine Edward C. Pieche Washington, D.C. the festival this year.