Obituary of Joan Elizabeth Piercefield

Joan E. (Hockersmith) Piercefield, retired Dir. of Guidance from Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, IN, passed away of natural causes at the age of 83 at The Estates at Carpenters in Lakeland. She worked for 32 yrs. for the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence County. Before that lengthy term, she taught at the Junior High School in Columbus, IN for 2 yrs. and began her long teaching career in the Indianapolis school system in 1954. She totaled 38 yrs. of teaching and counseling. Mrs. Piercefield was born on Dec.14, 1931 in Indianapolis, IN, to Leonard and Gladys Hockersmith. She was a long time member of St. Marks Lutheran Church in Indianapolis. Mrs. Piercefield attended Indianapolis grade schools and was a 1949 graduate of Howe High School. She also graduated from DePauw University in 1953. At Depauw, she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, very active in modem dance and served on the editorial staff of the school yearbook. She was also a longtime member of the D.A.R. Indianapolis chapter. During her career, she was active in her professional sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa. In 1957 she married Julian G. Piercefield of Columbus, IN. They were married 58 yrs., and Mr. Piercefield survives her at their Lakeland address. Mr. and Mrs. Piercefield's only son, David, preceded them in death on July 14, 2007. She is survived by her husband Julian and 3 grandchildren: Stephen, Jacquelyn, and Lauren Piercefield. Also surviving are Deborah Weaver, David's first wife, and Becky Strickland, David's widow, 2 step grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren.