Arthur Stierley. Jr.

Arthur (Art) Stierley, Jr., went to see Jesus on March 11, 2026, at Gateway Hospital, Evansville, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Blairsville, Ind., to Arthur A. and Mary Louise (Rivers) Stierley on April 12, 1941.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Ann (McKinnies) Stierley; children Terri Lynn (Stierley) Koch, Randy Ray Stierley (Lea Ann), and son-in-law Orvel Schroeder; eleven grandchildren Joshua Stierley, Christopher Koch (Jennifer), Patrick Schroeder (Emily), Joshua Koch (Jenn), Adam Schroeder (Macie), Jennifer (Koch) Berry (Christopher), Andrew Schroeder (Julia), Morgan (Stierley) Mathers (Caleb), Cody Irvin (Katelin), Shane Irvin, and Brant Irvin; fourteen great-grandchildren Alexander Koch; Rosemary, Eliza, and Martha Schroeder; Andi and Chloe Koch; Lee Irvin; Walker and Cabela Schroeder; Veda, Vivian, and Venita Berry; Campbell Mathers; Cayden Irvin; and one honorary great-grandchild Sam Topper; brother Harold Stierley (Janet Sue), and brother-in-law Van Lee McKinnies (Joan), and several nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Vicki Lee (Stierley) Schroeder, son-in-law David Koch, sister Priscilla Deane (Stierley) Tenison (Jesse), brother Donald Stierley, mother- and father-in-law Evelyn and Royvan McKinnies, and sister-in-law Bonnie McKinnies.

Art Stierley went by many names: Junior in his early and teen years, “Arthur” or “Art” in his work-related years, and then “Grandpa” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and sometimes “June” by his wife. Art attended Blairsville Grade School for four years, Parker Grade School for four years, and graduated from Wadesville High School in 1959.

Art worked with his father doing carpenter work with Fairview Developers in Mount Vernon and Carlton Madison in Evansville setting prefab homes in Ind., Ky., and Ill. Art and Betty Ann McKinnies were married November 4, 1961, here in Mount Zion Church. Art started working for Fuhrer-Ford Milling company in Mount Vernon in 1962 where he worked as a machinery mechanic for two years. Art then spent 32 years at the Farm Bureau/CountryMark Oil Refinery in Mount Vernon as a laboratory technician, maintenance repairman, then maintenance foreman for the last ten years of employment, retiring on December 31, 1996. He later worked for David Koch Plumbing and Home Depot part-time during his retirement.

Art also had many responsibilities here at Mount Zion Church: church member, Deacon, Sunday School teacher, youth leader, Treasurer, Trustee, song leader, building committee member, Co-Senior Ministry Leader, and Mount Zion Cemetery care taker. Art also volunteered at Thy Word Network, Habitat for Humanity, and visited residents at Harmonie Healthcare.

Art and Betty Ann loved their children, Terri Lynn, Vicki Lee, and Randy Ray very much. Art also loved hunting, fishing, camping, and woodworking. When grandchildren came along, there was boating, water skiing, and fishing and camping at Hillman’s Ferry campground in Ky.; squirrel, rabbit, deer, and quail hunting around home and pheasant and quail hunting in Macedonia, Ill. Art and Betty Ann loved attending all the sporting/school events that their children and grandchildren were involved in: basketball, baseball, football, soccer, track and field, cheerleading, softball, volleyball, tennis, music-band/choir, board games, and riding four-wheelers in the snow. Art and Betty were also blessed to take all of their grandchildren on a trip to Washington, D.C. They loved camping and at one time spent over three years living and traveling in their camper. Art loved “birding” and built birdhouses for Bluebirds and Purple Martins and at one time fledged around 100 Purple Martins in his 36 gourds and birdhouses in one season.

When Art worked at the Oil Refinery, he had to plan for work in the future, and it was necessary to record his work; therefore, it was not unusual to find Art with a pen and pad in his pocket, along with his pocketknife. When his grandchildren asked a question, he would pull out his pen and pad and draw out the question and then answer the question on paper.

Art was a giver. Art shared his life with others in that he gave over 60 units of blood to Red Cross in Evansville. He also pledged to be an organ donor.

Art could not read music, nor could he play a musical instrument, but he could sure whistle a tune. Art loved his Lord and sang praises to His name many times at churches, weddings, and funerals. It was Art’s wish that all would see Heaven and would call on the name of the Lord and be saved (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13).

Funeral Service was held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Mount Zion General Baptist Church, 1425 Oliver Road, Wadesville, IN 47638 with the Pastor Rev. Mike Trotter and the Pastor Rick Sellers officiating burial followed in the church cemetery.

Visitation was held from 3 until 7 p.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026 at Schneider Funeral Home, 512 Main Street, Mount Vernon, IN 47620 and from 9 until 10 a.m. service time on Tuesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Zion General Baptist Church.

Condolences may be made online at www.schneiderfneralhome.com.