Arthur Stierley Jr.

Arthur Stierley, Jr., passed away on March 11, 2026, at Gateway Hospital in Evansville, surrounded by his loving family. Born on April 12, 1941, in Blairsville, Indiana, to Arthur A. and Mary Louise (Rivers) Stierley, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who lived a life defined by faith, service, and quiet generosity.

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, and Cayden Irvin; one honorary great-grandchild, Sam Topper; brother Harold Stierley (Janet Sue); brother-in-law Van Lee McKinnies (Joan); and several nieces and nephews.

Art, known as Junior in his youth, Arthur or Art during his working years, and Grandpa to his grandchildren, graduated from Wadesville High School in 1959. He began his career doing carpentry work with his father at Fairview Developers and later helped set prefab homes across Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois. In 1962 he joined Fuhrer-Ford Milling Company as a machinery mechanic before spending 32 years at the Farm Bureau/Country Mark Oil Refinery in Mt. Vernon, where he served as a laboratory technician, maintenance repairman, and finally maintenance foreman. He retired in 1996 and later worked part-time for David Koch Plumbing and Home Depot.

A lifelong member of Mt. Zion General Baptist Church, Art served in many roles including deacon, Sunday School teacher, youth leader, treasurer, trustee, song leader, building committee member, co-senior ministry leader, and caretaker of the Mt. Zion Cemetery. He volunteered with Thy Word Network and Habitat for Humanity and regularly visited residents at Harmonie Healthcare. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, boating, water skiing, and woodworking, and he took great joy in sharing these activities with his children and grandchildren. An avid birder, he built birdhouses and once fledged around 100 purple martins in a single season. Known for carrying a pen and pad to sketch answers for his grandchildren, Art was a quiet giver who donated more than 60 units of blood and was an organ donor. Though he could not read music, he whistled tunes beautifully and sang heartfelt praises to the Lord at churches, weddings, and funerals. Above all, he cherished his family and held a deep faith, hoping that all would come to know the Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Vicki Lee (Stierley) Schroeder, son-in-law David Koch, sister Priscilla Deane (Stierley) Tenison, brother Donald Stierley, and several other beloved family members.