Karen B. Overpeck

Karen B. Overpeck, 86, proud and loyal lifelong Mooresville resident passed away peacefully on April 23, 2026.  She was born in Mooresville, on Scruggs Street, what is now Maple Lane, on February 6, 1940, to the late Albert W. and Helen (Opple) Tutewiler.   She was married to John Overpeck on September 28, 1963, and he preceded her in death on September 13, 2006.

Karen’s education began in preschool in the basement of the Mooresville Library.  Her graduating class from preschool consisted of 12 students, 8 of whom graduated from Mooresville High School together in 1958.  She was introduced to the camp nurse at McCormick’s Creek as a young person, and that solidified Karen’s interest in and desire to pursue a career in nursing.  She graduated from Marion General Hospital School of Nursing in 1962.  A natural leader, Karen served as the 2^nd Vice President of the Student Nurse Organization and was also Vice President of her high school class.

Her nursing career began at the Roudebush Medical Center, where she worked for a year before transitioning to the Emergency Room at the former Marion General Hospital, which became Wishard Memorial Hospital.  She met her paramedic husband, John, while working there.  She was hired by the Chrysler Foundry and worked there for 30 years as an industrial nurse before retiring.  She was a mentor and a good friend to many coworkers.

Karen was a former member of the Friendswood Baptist Church and, more recently, faithfully attended the Mooresville First United Methodist Church and its Henderson Mission Group.  She was a 60-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star.  She was active in 4-H, FHA, was the honored queen of Jobs Daughters, and was a member of the Bayview Club.  Karen served on the board of the Mooresville Junior Football League for five years.

Karen served as the first woman and first nurse on the Morgan County Hospital Board of Trustees for 20 years.  A loyal Republican, Karen served as a Brown Township Precinct Committeeperson for more than 30 years.  Long before becoming a senior citizen, Karen became involved in the Mooresville Senior Center.  She served on the board for more than 20 years and served as its president since Charlie Nelson’s passing in 2009.

Karen’s love for and pride in Mooresville High School ran very deep.  For many years, she served on the Alumni Board and helped raise thousands of dollars for the Alumni Association Scholarship.  She was honored as the Alumnus of the Year in 2025 and was placed on the Wall of Success just last week at the Alumni Banquet.  Karen was a proud Pioneer through and through.

Above all, family was most important to Karen.  She never missed a sporting event, choir event, band performance, or school activity through the years.  She was an avid gardener, both flowers and vegetables, and loved to share her bounty with family and friends.

Her presence in the community was steady and always dependable.  Karen will be remembered for her loyalty, candor, and generosity.

In addition to her parents and John, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Bill Holmes and his wife, Mary, and Allen Dale Tutewiler; and a nephew, Dan Holmes.

Survivors include her children, Michael T. Overpeck, Mark A. Overpeck, and Marisa Barnhill; grandchildren, Lauren Overpeck, Kali, Ethan, and Kassidy Barnhill; nephew, David (Dena) Holmes; niece, Libby (Sam) Wheeler.

Karen’s Life Celebration® Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church, 900 N. Indianapolis Road.  An Order of the Eastern Star Service will begin at 7 p.m.  The funeral service will begin at 10 a.m., Thursday, April 30, 2026, in the chapel at Carlisle – Branson  Funeral Service & Crematory.  Rev. Dr. Amber Karkosky-Litten will officiate.  At Karen’s request, she will be carried to her place of rest in the Mooresville Cemetery in the original Carlisle horse-drawn funeral coach.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mooresville High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund c/o the Community Foundation of Morgan County OR to the Mooresville Senior Center.  Envelopes will be available at the visitation and at the service.

Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.