Donald M. Pierson, Jr., 69, of Phillipsburg, died Wednesday, February 2, 2005 in Warren Hospital.

He was employed at James River Corp., in Forks Twp. before retiring in 1997. He previously worked at the Bethlehem Corp. in Wilson Borough and Ingersoll-Rand, Phillipsburg.

Born March 7, 1935 in Wilson Borough, he was the son of Joyce E. (Abel) Pierson of Lopatcong Twp., and the late Donald M. Pierson, Sr.

Donald graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1954 where he was on the Football and track teams. He participated in the 100th anniversary celebration of Phillipsburg High School Football in September of 2004.

He was a private first class in the Army.

He enjoyed gardening and fishing and the time he spent teaching his children fishing when they were young.

Donald and his wife, the former Ermadell Williams celebrated their thirty-eighth wedding anniversary September 17th.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Donald M., III at home; a daughter Melinda Verrinder and her husband James G. of White Twp.; a sister Carol Schuermann of Easton and his two dogs, Buddy and Harley.

Funeral services will be held 11am Monday in the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St., Phillipsburg. Burial will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine, Palmer Twp. Visitation will be held from 10am until time of services Monday in the funeral home.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Sacred Heart Hospital, 421 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18102. http://www.shh.org/contribution.asp

An online obituary can be found at www.noto-wynkoop.com.