Esther J. Pierce, age 99, of Dwight, Illinois and formerly of Yorkville, Illinois, passed away at Morris Hospital on Tuesday, February 15, 2022. She was born April 4, 1922 in Aurora, Illinois, the daughter of Robert and Irene Stephens. Esther was united in marriage on May 4, 1942 to Mr. Russell G. Pierce, and they spent the next 61 years happily together until his passing on January 18, 2004. She attended art school at The Art Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago, studying under Ruth VanSickle Ford. After this she worked as a bookkeeper for a few years before World War II. When the war started she helped in the war effort and was an inspector in the making of parts for fighter planes. When her husband was stationed in Florida, she was a night watcher for enemy planes at the air base. When the war ended, she worked alongside her husband helping to farm the land and occasionally drawing for her own pleasure. Mrs. Pierce was a 50-plus year member of the Eastern Star. She was an active member in her church, always helping in some way. She loved to cook and bake and make meals for people in need. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grand mother who will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. Esther is survived by her daughters, Lynette (Robert) Pleiss of Naples, Florida and Penny (Dan) Russ of Dwight, Illinois; her grandson, Ryan (Christy) Mindell of Mission Diejo, California, as well as her great-grandson, Jaxon Mindell. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Irene Stephens; her husband, Russell G. Pierce; and her infant son, Charles Pierce. Interment will be private. Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or (630) 553-7611.