Virgil A. "Pete" Pearson, 79, of Hicksville, passed away at his home early Sunday July 4, 2010.

Pete was born September 26, 1930 in Allen County Indiana to the late Paul and Leitha (Hootman) Pearson.

Pete moved to Hicksville when he was (12) years old and graduated from Hicksville High School in 1948. He was united in marriage to Betty Tomlinson on April 29, 1951.

He served the United States in the Army during the Korean Conflict.

Pete was a lifelong farmer and co-owner of Hulbert & Tomlinson Hay and Straw. He was a member of the Hicksville Seventh Day Adventist Church. He was a Volunteer Fireman with the Hicksville Fire Department for (23) years, serving as chief for a number of years. He also served on the Rescue Squad for (13) years. He was the Past President of the Hicksville Little League Association.

Pete is survived by his wife Betty; a son Alan (Jo) Pearson, and grandsons Andrew, Reid and Ryan all of Portland, OR; a daughter Wendy (Mark) Wehrung and grandson Anthony Aeillo all of Sheridan, WY.

He was preceded in death by a sister Lena Rose Cole and an infant grandson.

The funeral service will be Wednesday at 11:00 at Smith & Brown Funeral Home, Hicksville. Pastor Peter Simpson will officiate. Visitation will be at the funeral home Tuesday from 2:00-5:00 and 6:00-8:00 and also one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be at Forest Home Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Hicksville American Legion Post #223.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hicksville Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Renal Care Group Dialysis Center, The Huber Opera House and Civic Center or the Defiance County Hospice.