Funeral services for former Arizona Senate President Russell Pearce set for Monday

Funeral services for former state Sen. Russell Pearce are set for Monday morning in Mesa.

A visitation is scheduled at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints central stake center in Mesa from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with the funeral service at 11 a.m. , according to details released by Pearce's family.

The family expects the services to be crowded, so overflow rooms will be open at the center, 925 N. Harris Drive.

Burial is scheduled for Tuesday at the Mesa Cemetery.

Pearce, 75, fell ill at his home and died Jan. 5 at a Mesa hospital.

A controversial and colorful character, Pearce spent 23 years with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, serving as chief deputy in 1993.

Pearce is probably best known for his sponsorship of Senate Bill 1070, which required police officers to inquire about the immigration or citizenship status of anyone an officer suspected might be in the U.S. illegally. The law ignited fierce legal and political battles, invigorating a generation of Latino activists and leading to a successful recall of Pearce, then the Arizona Senate president.

After leaving the Legislature, Pearce in 2014 joined the Maricopa County Treasurer's Office as chief deputy, a post he held until his death.

Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com and follow her on Twitter @maryjpitzl.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former AZ Senate President Russell Pearce's funeral services planned