Dorothy Koroch Pierce

Dorothy “Dotti” Mae (Koroch) Pierce, 88, entered into eternal rest on August 28, 2015. She was a resident of San Antonio, Texas for the past 35 years. The only daughter and youngest child of German immigrant parents, Emil and Emily Koroch, Dotti was born in Sodus, Michigan on August 19, 1927. She spent her earliest days growing up on the family fruit farm outside of Benton Harbor, Michigan, where she learned to appreciate nature and the challenges and wonders of life on a family farm, as well as the value of an honest wage for a hard day’s work. Following graduation from Benton Harbor High School, Dotti briefly attended Anderson College (Anderson, Indiana) where she met and married her future husband, Nelson Pierce of Independence, Missouri. They were married for 25 years. Over the years, she was employed for the U.S. Forest Service and as a church secretary for Holliday Park Church of God (Portland, Oregon). Prior to her retirement in 1997, she served as the receptionist for Bible Study Fellowship (San Antonio), for 20 years, having relocated from its original headquarters in Oakland, California. Dotti had many hobbies and interests. She was an avid reader of books (especially the Bible), and enjoyed working puzzles. A skilled seamstress, and a gifted pianist, she also enjoyed cooking and baking. Those who knew Dotti well loved her deeply, as she was a kind, gracious, and compassionate person to all she met. A devout Christian, her faith was the cornerstone of her life, having been influenced at an early age by her parents and their involvement in the First Church of God of St. Joseph, Michigan. Dotti was extremely proud of her heritage, having been raised and nurtured on the family farm. It was a place that never left her and where she loved to return over the years. As a tribute to her roots, she instilled the importance of labor in her children by having them work on the fruit farms in Oregon each summer in their youth. She is preceded in death by her brothers Don (Des Moines, Iowa), Ken and Melvin “Jake” Koroch, and her parents, all of Benton Harbor. Survivors include daughter, Denise David of San Antonio, Texas; son, Douglas Pierce and wife, Kathy Schmitz, of Colgate, Wisconsin; daughter, Deborah Werner and husband, David, of Portland, Oregon; grandchildren, Joseph Werner, Jona Davis Blackwell, Lindsey Pierce, Christopher Werner, Sara Pierce, Matthew Werner and Matthew Pierce; four great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and grandnieces/nephews. A Graveside Service will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, October 2, 2015 at Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Arrangements entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, St. Joseph.