Maurice Pieters

Maurice Pieters, 91, Mission, Kansas, passed away Saturday, February 2, 2013, at Sweet Life of Shawnee, Shawnee, Kansas. Maurice was born July 19, 1921, in Diepenbeak, Belgium, to Leopold and Maria Pieters. During WWII, Maurice as a member of the Belgium Underground. He was captured, along with his brother, by the Nazi's. Maurice spent a year in various concentration camps. He was liberated at the end of the war and returned home to Genk, Belgium. He was one of three survivors from his hometown who were captured with 17 others.

He married Martha Puype in 1946 and moved to the United States in 1948. They became US Citizens on May 26, 1954. Maurice and Martha opened Merriam Feed Store in 1952, where they worked together until her passing in 2005.

Maurice was a member of the Merriam Volunteer Fire Department for many years, achieving the rank of Captain. He was a member and past president of the Merriam Community Assoc. Maurice was also a long time member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Maurice was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Martha Pieters, parents, and three brothers, Adrian, Justan and Emmanuel Pieters. Survivors include his son, Johnny Pieters and wife, Peggy, Shawnee, Kansas; daughter, Marlene O'Neill and husband, Dean, Ormond Beach, Florida; sisters, Rika Van Herle-Pieters, Hasselt, Belgium; five grandchildren, Christopher Pieters, Steve Raydo, Matthew Raydo, Jessica Neubert and Erika Roach; eight great grandchildren; and his family of customers at Merriam Feed Lawn and Garden Center for over 60 years.

Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m.; entombment in the Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be made to either Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7023 W. 71st Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66204 or Odyssey Hospice, 4911 S. Arrowhead Drive, Suite 310, Independence, Missouri 64055.