Pearl Preston Pike
Pearl Preston Pike
Pearl Preston Pike
1921-2017
Pearl Pike, age 96, of Elmo, Missouri, entered into peace Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at Goldenrod Manor, Clarinda, Iowa. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Ritchie Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa with Pastor Don Barnett officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 25, 2017, at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Clarinda. Burial with military rites will be held at the LaMar Cemetery. Memorials may be given in Pearl’s name. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on our website at, www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Clarinda, Iowa.
Pearl Preston Pike was born July 14, 1921, in Elmo, Missouri the son of Harlan Pike and Bertha (Seaton) Pike. He grew up attending school in Elmo. From 1939 to 1942, he was employed as a farmhand on various farms near Elmo from 1939 until 1942, assisting with the planting and harvesting of small grain crops. He enjoyed feeding and caring for hogs, chickens, cattle and milking cows. He built, painted and repaired fences and farm buildings. He also operated a wheel type gasoline engine tractor pulling a plow, disc, drill, combine, and cultivator, always making the necessary adjustments to the various farm implement machinery. In June of 1942, he entered the United States Army serving during World War II in New Guinea and the Southern Philippines. He was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Star, the Good Conduct Medal and Bronze Arrowhead. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945.
On July 25, 1949, he was united in marriage to Frances Raines in St. Joseph, Missouri. Two children were born to bless their lives, Dixie Jo and Preston LaVerne, who died at birth. The family made their home in Elmo where Pearl worked as a custodian for over 36 years at the Elmo High School and West Nodaway Schools. He and his wife Frances were also the custodians at the United Methodist Church in Elmo for many years. After they retired they enjoyed traveling, mowing yards, attending fish fries and 4th of July Parades. He was even the Grand Marshall of the Elmo 4th of July Parade in 2012! In 2001, his loving wife Frances passed away. He continued to enjoy sitting on his front porch, waving at everyone who drove by. Pearl’s family was very important to him. He loved gathering together, sharing memories and attending any event they were involved in.
Left to cherish Pearl’s memory is his daughter Dixie Davison and husband Dennis of Braddyville, Iowa; two granddaughters, Dinah Davison of Omaha, Nebraska; Denise Blake of Shenandoah, Iowa; five great-grandchildren, Ashley Parsons and husband Harry IV, of Houston, Texas; Jacob Wilson of Omaha, Nebraska; Dakota Blake of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Hayley Blake and Gracie Hopkins of Shenandoah, Iowa; one great-great-grandson, Harry Joseph Parsons V of Houston, Texas; one sister, Valeria Alexander of Elmo, Missouri; along with many other relatives and friends.
Preceding Pearl in death are his parents, Harlan and Bertha Pike; a brother, Donnie Pike; his wife Frances Pike and their infant son, Preston.
We will cherish the memories of Pearl in our hearts.
May he be at peace in God’s loving care.
