Stephen Earl Pierce, born on October 1, 1957 to Carrol and Marion (Dean) Pierce, passed peacefully at home surrounded by family on November 29, 2023.
Steve lived and worked on his family farm all of his life and was one of Walton’s hardest working dairymen. Known to many of his friends as “Smokey”, he was proud to continue running the Carolea -Smokey Hillside Farm on Dryden Rd., following in his parent’s footsteps.
He met his wife Nancy Jean Schreier in the fourth grade and after a long friendship and her graduation from college they married and had two children, Michelle (Paul) Somers and Kyle Pierce. Life for Steve was all about loving his family and his animals. Four grandchildren, Amelia, Justin, Ryan and Carolea Somers, along with extended family of Ashleigh Murphy, Butch Taylor, Knox, Ryatt, Landon, Tripp and Wilder Taylor were the light of his life. He enjoyed teaching them all about farming and nature. He loved watching their sporting events and talking sports with everyone. He was very proud of their showmanship and wrestling abilities.
Steve was President of the of the Canton Brown Swiss show and was an avid Brown Swiss breeder. Taking animals to the Delaware County Fair was always an annual event that they worked toward all year. He loved cow shows, tractor pulls and taking long rides around the county roads.
He passed on his knowledge of every kind of bird and plant by gardening and feeding birds for everyone to watch from his living room. Steve planted a Crimson Red Maple on many properties of those he loved. He taught every young person that helped on the farm the meaning of hard work and good work ethics.
Anyone who knew Steve would recognize his whistle and the song that was unique only to him and his signature laugh. He was the original “cookie monster” often raiding the cookie jar in the middle of the night with a glass of milk.
Steve enjoyed chatting with other local farmers and could be found at the auction house in Unadilla every Wednesday. He enjoyed his morning phone calls with Ralph and Alice Taylor whom he considered his second Dad and Mom. They were part of his circle of friends that he considered family just like Johnny B., and others too many to mention.
He will be deeply missed by his siblings; Carroll (Barb) Piece, Debra (Erric) Boice, Chris (Donna) Pierce, Dawn (John) Seward and their families, sister-in-laws Lynda Hitt, Carol Decker and families. Nephews and Nieces that helped and learned on the farm were all very important to Steve.
Funeral service will be held at Christ Church, 41 Gardiner Place in Walton on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. Followed by a short reception in the parish hall until 2:00 when followers may process to Dryden Rd. for internment in the family cemetery on the farm.
In lieu of flowers please make donations, in his name, to the Delaware Valley Agricultural Society PO BOX 344 Walton, NY 13856 to benefit young showmen specific to a Brown Swiss Calf.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting www.courtneyfh.com.
