Stephen Robert Pearcy

STEVE’S LIFE STORY

“I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man. “ George Washington

Stephen Robert Pearcy was a kind-hearted, selfless man who took pride in his family, enjoyed laughing and joking with his friends, and ensured his work was done with attention to detail and integrity. He was always the voice of reason in the room but was not afraid to let go and add his own dry sense of humor or perfectly timed one-liners to the conversation.

Steve was born on April 28, 1963, and according to his mother, this bundle of joy arrived weighing in over 10 pounds. Given that Steve always loved and remembered trivia better than most, it is apropos to mention that 1963 brought the introduction of the touch-tone phone, cost of gas at 30 cents per gallon, and the release of the Beatles’ first album. Fitting to Steve’s career in Human Resources, the Equal Pay Act was signed into law in the US in 1963.

Childhood pictures and stories reveal an easygoing and gentle rhythm of growing up in Indiana. Steve would ride his bike for hours stopping to play with all the neighborhood kids. Steve hated that his family always ate dinner at 5:00 on the dot because he had to go home earlier than his friends, and it often interrupted the driveway basketball games. He loved long summer days and was not much of a fan of the academic world. Steve recounts the story that when he got off the elementary school bus, he would take his “bad papers” and stuff them under a big rock in the neighbor’s yard so that his parents were none the wiser.

Middle school and high school years were filled with all things sports, including football, basketball, and baseball. But in high school Steve also found Lisa who turned out to be his soulmate and partner for life. Together, they navigated the world of dating without the constant connection of social media, cell phones, and physical proximity to one another. Steve went to IU first, Lisa came the next year, they overlapped for 2 years, then Lisa was off to Indianapolis and Kentucky. Perhaps the expression that “Distance makes the heart grow fonder” is indeed true.

Steve and Lisa were married in 1987 and thought they were “so busy”. Days were filled with work, golf, volleyball, and church retreats. In the early days of marriage, dinners were often cereal-based. Was it a Froot Loops night or upscale Frosted Flakes? In either case, they had to borrow some milk from next door when their own gallon ran out. Weekends were spent with neighbors—each building each other’s decks together much like a barn raising, grilling out, eating at 10 pm, and staying up far too late talking and laughing. Then parenting came along and the real “busy” set in. Life with three children (and four local nieces and nephews) kept everyone on their toes and exhausted until their heads finally hit the pillow. Steve was always present for every ball game, Brownie and Girl Scout ceremony, awards night, school play, and school or church choir concert. He also carved out time to lead the 3 little Bears in Daniel’s Cub Scout troop. Steve was incredibly proud of each child and was an avid supporter of education. He especially loved celebrating with Matthew on his acceptance to med school. It was helpful that Steve was a lifelong learner as he had to figure out the nuances of ‘new to him’ sports and hobbies like soccer, tennis, quidditch, log rolling, D&D, gardening, and home improvement. He always had a soft spot though for his Cubs, and his son Daniel remembers special trips to Wrigleyville with his dad. Steve made a point of taking Jordan to the Superbowl festivities downtown on his own since she missed this with the family trip. Making it to Butler, IU, Indians, Colts, and Pacers games would also make his day. His wife Lisa reminded him often that he’s lucky he married someone who loves sports too.

It would be easy to think that Steve’s entire world was family and sports, but he was a well-rounded man who enjoyed history, audiobooks, documentaries, travel, and cooking. Favorite audiobooks, such as John Grisham novels and the biographies of Hamilton, Washington, and, more recently, Mark Twain, kept Steve and Lisa company on many road trips. He watched the musical Hamilton live or on Disney Plus no less than 50 times. Steve graduated from cereal dinners to sharpening his culinary skills at the grill, the beverage bar, and the stovetop. He learned to grill a fillet to perfection using a stopwatch for exact cooking times for each side of the cut of meat. He used the COVID lockdown to enhance his bartending skills by creating the best tasting Margarita and Old Fashioned around. He found recipes for fun desserts, and he is now famous for a refreshing orange dreamsicle that not only tastes wonderful but hints at nostalgic moments from his childhood. For dinners with Lisa, he would often add in background music to complement the entrée—Italian, Latino, Jazz. This added touch is a window into Steve’s softer side that many may not have seen. Steve loved travelling and was certainly a La-Z-Boy adventurer with YouTube, taking excursions all over the world with his sailing friends, RV buddies, and Rick Steves. In the real world, he cherished family vacations including annual trips to Panama City Beach with the whole Shepherd gang, train trips to Washington DC and out west to most of the National Parks, Disney World, and several St. Louis trips for fall and spring breaks. After 4 trips to “The Gateway to the West” the kids put a stop to St. Louis, despite their dad’s appreciation of its more affordable offerings. Steve also relished time away with Lisa. They journeyed to various places in Mexico for rest and renewal and took a river cruise down the Rhine River from Switzerland to Amsterdam soaking up beautiful landscapes and visiting castles, historic cathedrals, modern sites, and tasting wine from many a vineyard. Finally, they made a pilgrimage to Israel with fellow church friends. It was with this trip that Steve aligned his love of history with that spiritual place in his heart, and he was transformed. Steve and Lisa talked about how the Holy Land made scriptures come alive, but both knew it actually made them dance. Steve was always a man that appreciated others and the good in his life, but true gratitude permeated his soul after this life-changing experience, and his conversations and prayers reflected this shift in his heart and spiritual journey. Even through the devastating loss of his son, Matthew, and the pain and trials he endured over the last year of his life, he was ever so grateful for the blessings anew each day.

The story of Steve is not complete without a nod to his work life with Community Health Network. Throughout his career, he worked in Human Resources spending time at East, South, North, the Heart Hospital, and even a dip into the shared waters of St. Vincent and Community. He worked with integrity, a sense of calm and reason, and, like everything else in his life, he added bits of humor that went a long way in defusing tension or helping others to see the lighter side. Steve often spoke in idioms and would come home amused that some of his colleagues would not understand what he was saying. At times like this, he did feel a little old compared to his younger workmates. He used both his intelligence and communication skills at work and home, looking ahead to see the big picture, but thinking critically about the details “in the now.”

His research and planning were used to show his love and care by ensuring major decisions were made with thought, intention, and that multiple angles were considered. Steve always remarked that we never had a bad vacation and, in part, that was because all the details were in place ahead of time. On the family Disney trip, Jordan and Steve planned each day using The Unofficial Guide to Disney before any of the others even got out of bed. They were determined to make the best use of time, avoiding long lines, and doing all the things we could possibly pack in a day. The same planning scenario occurred with his other big family trips. Planner yes, but not so rigid that audibles were not called. What’s another 300 mile drive for Daniel to see Arches National Park? What’s a super early morning for Jordan to see the sunrise over Bryce canyon? Why not drive wherever needed so that Matthew could see more bears, buffalo, or the ever-elusive wolf? Steve would do most anything (within reason) for his family and that included his beloved pets—his poodle Gigi in childhood and his mini goldendoodle Zoey in adulthood. Zoey and any other dog that was lucky enough to be in Steve’s space would soon feel his love with belly rubs, treats, and some table scraps, much to the chagrin of some pet parents.

Steve was such a compassionate, intelligent, and humorous man who loved his family fiercely. He gave and received so much love from his family, friends, church community, and work colleagues. Although his family and friends are devastated by his passing on January 4, 2026, there is peace knowing he is pain-free and secure in the arms of his Savior and enjoying the embraces of those he so dearly loved that went before him. Steve will be forever missed and forever remembered. His legacy of love remains for all time.

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Stephen Robert Pearcy, 62, of Indianapolis was born on April 28, 1963 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Steve passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 4, 2026 with his beloved wife Lisa at his side. Steve moved to Indianapolis at 6 weeks old and called Indy his home for the rest of his life.

Steve was a man of integrity, compassion, and wit. He enjoyed family time, travels, and cheering on his favorite amateur and professional teams. He remained devoted to his Cubs even through the worst of seasons.

Steve graduated from Indiana University and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, where he enjoyed intramural sports and fraternal revelry. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Steve and Lisa became parents to three children: Jordan, Daniel, and Matthew. Steve loved being a dad and passing along wisdom and advice—sometimes followed, sometimes not. He enjoyed playing games with his kids, including all kinds of sports, but also teaching each one to play chess, euchre, and dominoes. Steve’s wit and humor were always sprinkled into their family life.

Steve worked for Community Health Network Human Resources Department for his entire career but made sure he took time to have fun with the hospital golf and volleyball leagues. He made Geist Christian Church his spiritual home participating in worship, Bible studies, and service opportunities.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Lisa Pearcy; children, Jordan and Daniel Pearcy; mother, June Pearcy; and sister, Lisa Birmingham; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Robert "Bob" Pearcy, and son, Matthew Jacob Pearcy.

Visitation and Celebration of Life Services will be held at Geist Christian Church, 8550 Mud Creek Road in Indianapolis. Visitation will be held Friday, January 9th from 4:00-6:30 pm with an additional visitation Saturday, January 10th from 1:00-2:00 pm prior to services at 2:00 pm with Pastor Kyle Brown officiating. Burial will follow the services at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.

Here is a link to the livestream/recorded version of the service which will be live on January 10th at 2:00 pm: https://youtube.com/live/JmIwxJJxz6A

Memorial contributions may be made to Geist Christian Church, 8550 Mud Creek Road, Indianapolis, IN 46256 (www.geistchristian.org); or Community Health Network Foundation (www.ecommunity.com/community-foundation).

Condolences: www.randallroberts.com