Margaret Jane Pierce

Margaret Jane (Fuelling) Pierce, age 87, of Mt. Vernon, Ind., passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at New Harmony Healthcare Center. She was born September 3, 1938 to the late, George and Georgia (Murphy) Fuelling.

Margaret’s greatest joy was her family, and she cherished her roles as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister.

She was a faithful, active member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, where she attended grade school in her youth. In 1957, she graduated from Mt. Vernon High School.

On November 24, 1956, she married the love of her life, John V. Pierce. Together, they were blessed with five children: John Jr., Robin Gail, Mary Jane, Leigh Ann and Julie Lynn. Their family continued to grow with the addition of eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Margaret devoted many years to caring for her family as a homemaker. After all of her children were married, she began working as a cafeteria cook at Farmersville Elementary School in 1995. She later worked as a housekeeper at Welborn Hospital until her retirement.

Margaret and John shared a love of traveling. Each year after the wheat harvest, they would hook up their travel trailer and explore destinations throughout the United States with many friends. They also took many cruises together including their 50th and 60th wedding anniversary accompanied by all of their children. Margaret and John also traveled to Hawaii three times. In addition to camping and traveling, they enjoyed square dancing and playing cards at the Posey County Council on Aging. For over 30 years, every Sunday night, the Pierce’s would play Texas Hold’em with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her baby, Robin Gail Pierce; parents; and brother, Don Fuelling.

Margaret is survived by her loving husband of 69 plus years, John V. Pierce, Sr.; their children, John V. Pierce (Julie), Jr., Mary Jane Schroeder (Terry), Leigh Ann Stroud and Julie Lynn Briody (Jack); grandchildren, John III, Jamie (Justin), Jacqueline (Justin), Zachary (Leah), Gabriel (Amy), Robin (Travis), Nicholas (Kalah) and Jason (Kristen); great-grandchildren, Alayna, Ava, Isaac, Hannah, Colby, Gunner, Gracelyn, Jaxon, Jordyn, Julian, Adrian, Chloe, Johnny, Emma and Brian; brother-in-law, Raymond Pierce (Lou); sisters-in-law, Margaret Tron Mason (Alfred) and Linda Pierce; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Bob Ferrell and Fran Woods; and many other close friends.

Funeral Mass was held at 1 p.m., on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 421 Mulberry Street, Mt. Vernon, Ind., with Fr. Darnis and Fr. Jim Sauer officiating and burial to follow in St. Matthew Cemetery.

Visitation was held from 10 a.m., until 1 p.m., service time, on Tuesday at the church.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the nurses, cooks, program directors and staff at New Harmony Healthcare Center, especially Janie, a volunteer who lovingly cared for her three-and-one-half month stay, the Heart-to-Heart Hospice nurses and her therapist with in-home healthcare. They would also like to thank Nurse Practitioner, Melody Oeth and her husband, Greg for the compassionate care they provided over the years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew Catholic School PTAC, 401 Mulberry Street, Mt. Vernon, IN 47620.

Condolences may be made online at www.schneiderfuneralhome.com