Illustrious Sir Michael R. St. Pierre, PP
July 12, 1947 - December 6, 2018
Potentate of Murat Shrine - Indianapolis, Indiana in 1999
Illus. Sir Michael R. St. Pierre, PP, 71, passed away peacefully with his family on Thursday afternoon, December 6, 2018. He was a long time Greenwood resident.
He was born on July 12, 1947 in Indianapolis, IN to Robert R. St.Pierre and Gaile (Cousins) St.Pierre. He married Betty Wilhoit on January 14, 1967 in Blowing Rock, NC. She survives. Survivors include one daughter, Michelle R. St.Pierre of Indianapolis; one son, Paul C. (Kristin) St.Pierre of Greenwood; one granddaughter, Courtenay St.Pierre of Indianapolis; two grandsons, Avery and Ryan St.Pierre; one great grandson, Aleric Anderson; and one great granddaughter, Aeyra Anderson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Steven Ross St.Pierre.
Michael attended Milligan College, Butler University, and East Tennessee State University. Graduate education included the Indiana College of Mortuary Science, National Foundation of Funeral Service School of Management, Northwestern University, and Indiana University, Graduate School of Business. He was a member of Alpha Phi Omega, Pi Sigma Eta, Delta Sigma Pi, and Tau Kappa Epsilon. He was a co-owner of the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in the late 1970's.
He was an Eagle Scout, which he earned in 1964 and the one award he held closest to his heart. Scouting was very dear to him his entire life, and he displayed it in every part of it. As a youth, he was the 1964 Firecrafter Chief and member of the Order of the Arrow. As an adult scouter, he was presented the prestigious honor of the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award, Silver Antelope Award, and numerous other honors. His leadership included serving many committees, but most especially as President and Executive Board Member of the Area Central Region, Council Commissioner, Past District Chairman, Past Cubmaster, and Past Firecrafter Council Committee Chairman. He was a member of Troop 266, and he attended every National Scout Jamboree from 1989-2013. At these Jamborees, he was a cook and part of the "Greenwood Gourmets", which were some of the best times of his life.
Michael retired as Chairman of the Board of Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory in 2016. Mike was proud to be a fifth generation Funeral Director, starting at a young age and worked alongside his father, brother, son, and daughter over his career. He was very proud to have helped enable many young Funeral Directors to grow, and some to own their businesses throughout the State of Indiana over his career.
Michael holds professional licenses in Indiana and Tennessee and is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) and a Charter and Life member of the Academy of Funeral Service Practitioners.
He was also proud to be involved in the creation of the National Research and Information Center that was associated with the National Foundation of Funeral Service. He was the only living person to be President of five national associations in his profession.
Most notably, he was President of the Associated Funeral Directors International in 1980, and President of the Alumni Association of the National Foundation of Funeral Service School of Management in 1977. In 1991-92, he served as President of National Selected Morticians (now Selected Independent Funeral Homes). He is a Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Foundation of Funeral Service, serving in 1995 and 1996. He served as President of the National Funeral Directors Association in 2007-2008, and was a member of its Heritage Club. He also served as representative to the American Board of Funeral Service Education for nine years.
He was President of the Indiana Funeral Directors Association in 1984, and was an Isaac Ball Fellow of the Indiana Funeral Directors Education Foundation. He enjoyed his time serving on various committees, and was integral in forming the Preneed Act, which formed the laws of governance for preplanned funerals in the State of Indiana.
Michael served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Johnson County Community Foundation for ten years. He also served as Treasurer of the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation at Compass Park Board of Directors.
He was Past President and Secretary of the Johnson County Sheriff's Merit Board, having served for over seventeen years. He was an Elder of the Greenwood Presbyterian Church; Past President of the Greenwood Rotary Club and the club's first Paul Harris Fellow.
Michael was proud to be a member and past Worshipful Master of Mystic Tie Masonic Lodge #398 F. & A.M; and Past Potentate of the Murat Shrine in 1999. At Murat, he was a part of the Dramatic Cast, 500 Club, Press Corps, Arab Patrol, Chanters, Mini-Mystics, the Johnson Count Shrine Club and honorary member of Shrine Clubs across the world. Other Masonic memberships include Greenwood Masonic Lodge #514 F. & A.M ., Century Lodge #764 F. & A.M., honorary member of Calvin Prather Lodge #717 F. & A.M.; and Greenwood Order of the Eastern Star #390.
He was Past Commander-In-Chief of the Indiana Consistory of the Indianapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite; Deputy Representative to the Valley 2002-2018; and was a named a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, 33 ̊, and member of the Supreme Council of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in 1995; Past President of the Thirty-Third Association; and member of the Greenwood York Rite bodies; Indiana College Masonic Societas Rosicruciana; and Emeritus Member, Red Cross of Constantine.
He was cited as a Doctor of Humane Letters, Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science; honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels; and created a Sagamore of the Wabash in 1999 by Governor Frank O'Bannon.
Visitation will be held from 3-8PM, Tuesday, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 650 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis. Pastor Steve Schellin will officiate a funeral service at 11AM, Wednesday, at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. He will be laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, 525 N. Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204; Selected Independent Funeral Homes Educational Trust, 500 Lake Cook Road, Suite 205, Deerfield, IL 60015; or Shriners Hospitals for Children, 510 N. New Jersey St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
