Martha Louise (Schmierer) Morehouse, 85, of Lafayette, passed from this life to her Heavenly reward on April 4, 2026.
She was born on October 13, 1940, to Edward William and Ella (Munn) Schmierer. She was the youngest of four siblings. Preceding her in death are her parents and sister, Mary Ellen Schmierer, brother William Edward Schmierer, and brother Ronald Alan Schmierer.
Martha attended Klondike High School, where she met James Walter Morehouse. They married on June 7, 1959. They spent more than 66 years together and he preceded her in death four months ago, on Dec. 2, 2025.
They began as crop and dairy farmers on Springboro Road near Brookston, IN. Martha was a farmer’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and was also involved in many community activities, including Psi Iota Xi Sorority, Frontier Band and Music Boosters, and singing in church choirs at Badger Grove Community Baptist Church, Brookston, and First Assembly of God (now River City Church) in Lafayette. Later she worked as a secretary at First Assembly of God Church and First Assembly Christian Academy. When James became the director of the church’s food pantry, she became its bookkeeper.
Martha and James raised five children, who all survive: Jerry (DeEtta) Morehouse, of Columbus, GA; Jed (Michelle) Morehouse, who lives on the family farm east of Brookston; Jay (Lori) Morehouse, of Piedmont, AL; Joe Morehouse, of Rock Hill, SC; and Joyella Morehouse, of Lafayette. They also had a “bonus daughter” Val Taylor of Lafayette.
They have 15 grandchildren: Zackary (Tiffany) Morehouse, GA; Tia (Cory) Campos, GA; Shandra Morehouse, MD; Natasha (Chris) Dean, IN; Morgan (Matthew) Gallivan, IN; Miranda (Kelly) Casey, IN; Bethany (Donnie) DeaKyne, AL; Blessing (Jacob) Fuchs, IN; Isaiah (fiancee Charissa) Morehouse, AL; Moriah Morehouse, AL; Maila Morehouse, AL; Zizi Morehouse, AL; Olivianna Morehouse, AL; Tyler (Mary) Blankman, SC; and Walter Morehouse, SC.
They also have 11 great-grandchildren, with another expected in August 2026. Tatum Morehouse, Walker Morehouse, Mason Campos, Karsyn Gallivan, Collins Gallivan, Caleb DeaKyne, Wessley DeaKyne, Alivia Morehouse, Joseph Morehouse, Salem Motes and Ember Morehouse.
Also surviving are several nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.
Visitation will be at Soller-Baker Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 8.
Funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 9.