Our History
In 1951, on Evansville 's west side, James L. and Marirose (Funke) Pierre founded the Pierre Funeral Home. It was their heartfelt desire to serve the families of the community during the very difficult time after the death of a loved one. They worked side-by-side for 25 years, reaching out to neighbors, friends and family when they were most needed.
Mr. Pierre died in 1986 and Mrs. Pierre passed away in 2018, but the Pierre family continues to honor their memories by serving the community with integrity and compassion.
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Jim Pierre, President, Funeral Director, and Advanced Planning Coordinator
Jim and his wife, Lori, are the parents of four children, Josh, Ashley, Jacob and Joey. Jim has been a licensed funeral director since 1995 and also serves as an advanced funeral planner. Jim and his wife Lori purchased the funeral home in 2007. Jim is now a third generation owner of Pierre Funeral Home, having taken the responsibility from Jim's parents, Gary and Susie. Jim is a 1993 graduate of Indiana University and 1994 graduate of Mid-America College of Mortuary Science. Jim and his family are members of St. Boniface Catholic Church and are actively involved at the church and school. Jim has been actively involved coaching many of the athletic teams his children have played on. He has coached football, basketball, baseball and wrestling. Jim and Lori live on Evansville's Westside.
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Gary Pierre, Funeral Director
Gary and his wife, Susie, owned and operated Pierre Funeral Home for 31 years beginning in 1976. Gary and Susie purchased the funeral home from, Gary's parents, Jim and Marirose Pierre. Having worked at the funeral home since his high school years, Gary became a licensed funeral director in 1964. Gary is a member of the Westside Nut Club and the Westside Optimist Club. He and Susie are also parishioners of St. Philip Catholic Church. Gary remains actively involved at the funeral home after his retirement in 2007.
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Susie Pierre, Office Staff
Susie Pierre, wife of Gary Pierre, began working at Pierre Funeral Home after their marriage in 1964. Susie, along with Gary, is a member of St. Philip Catholic Church. She remains active at the funeral home after her retirement in 2007. Susie and Gary reside on Evansville’s Westside.
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Josh Pierre, Funeral Director Assistant
Josh is a 2019 graduate of Indiana University with a double major in Finance and Accounting as well as a Master of Business Administration. After working for three years in auditing and wealth management, Josh decided to join the family business and become a funeral director. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mortuary Science. In his free time, Josh enjoys watching sports and hanging out with his two dogs, Rory and Heidi.
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Jacob Pierre, Funeral Director Assistant
Jacob Pierre is a fourth generation member of the Pierre Family serving the Evansville community. He graduated from Mater Dei high school in 2021, and will attend the University of Southern Indiana to study marketing. He plans to attend the Mid-America College of Mortuary Science and become a licensed funeral director.
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John Pierre, Retired Funeral Director
John has been a licensed funeral director since 1995, and has worked at the funeral home since that time. He is an active member of the Westside Nut Club serving as Chairperson of the Photo Committee and the Lighthouse Parade at the Nut Club Fall Festival. He has also served on various other committees. John enjoys boating and participating in car shows. He is a 1994 graduate of Mid-America College of Mortuary Science. John is a member of St. Philip Catholic Church and makes his home on Evansville's Westside.
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Joe McConnell, Funeral Director
Joe McConnell, a native of Gibson County, IN is a graduate of Princeton Community High School, Vincennes University and the University of Evansville. Joe is a licensed funeral director in Indiana with over thirty years of experience in the funeral profession. Joe joined the staff at Pierre Funeral Home in 2000. He is the youngest of five children and has one daughter Diana Kay. Joe is a member of St. Mary Catholic Church where he is involved in the hospitality ministry. He enjoys word puzzles, travel, ballroom dancing and can't resist a project. In addition to his duties as a funeral director, Joe is also a Certified Funeral Celebrant and can be available for those families who are not affiliated with a church or who prefer something other than a traditional funeral service.
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Dustin Moore, Funeral Director
Dustin and his wife Rebekah are the proud parents of Noah Moore. Dustin graduated from Vincennes University Mortuary Science Program and has proudly worked for Pierre Funeral Home for over 14 years. Dustin enjoys helping with every aspect of funeral service, especially dealing with families at their most difficult of times. Dustin and his family attend Catalyst Church on the westside of Evansville. When not at the funeral home, Dustin likes spending time with his family and walking his two dogs.
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Susie Montgomery, Administrative Assistant
Susie joined the Pierre Funeral Home staff in September of 2015. Susie is a lifelong westsider; a graduate of FJ Reitz High School and member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Along with her husband David, Susie has three children and four grandchildren. She enjoys walking the Greenway with her husband and Genealogy research.
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Tanner Fritch, Funeral Director
Tanner Fritch is a 2015 graduate of Mater Dei high school, 2019 graduate of the University of Southern Indiana, and a 2020 graduate of the Mid- America College of Mortuary Science. He and his wife, Megan, reside on Evansville's westside. Tanner began working at Pierre Funeral home in December of 2015.
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Brett Merkel, Funeral Director
Brett Merkel joined the staff of Pierre Funeral Home in November of 2017. Brett is a lifelong resident of Evansville's west side and a graduate of FJ Reitz High School. He and his family are active members of St. Paul's United Church of Christ on West Michigan Street.
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Auston Irvin, Funeral Director
