Margaret "Peg" Hooley

Margaret “Peg” (Sefton) Hooley, 88, of Goshen died Friday, January 2, 2026 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

She was born October 7, 1937 in Argyle, Michigan to Noel V. and Marian M. (Jones) Sefton.

On September 8, 1956 she married Richard K. Hooley in Bloomfield, Michigan.

He survives along with four children, Stephen (Deborah) Hooley of Goshen, David (Annette) Hooley of Middlebury, Cynthia (Thomas) Hepler of Sanford, Florida and Debra (Michael) Teall of Valparaiso; nine grandchildren;16 great grandchildren; and a brother, William (Francie) Sefton of Alpena, Michigan.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan K. Hooley in 1958 and a brother, Paul Sefton in 2007.

Peg was a 1957 graduate of Goshen High School and a devoted member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where she taught C.C.D. (religious education) and made a lasting impact on the youth of the community. She believed learning extended beyond the classroom and shared her love of nature with her children and grandchildren through backpacking, kayaking, camping, and outdoor adventures. Though she held various retail sales jobs, her most meaningful role was as a homemaker, guiding her family with love, creativity, and an adventurous spirit.

Peg’s influence reached far beyond her family. A brown belt in Judo, she taught Judo and self-defense classes. She served as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, was always the first to help when an animal needed rescuing and shared her artistic talents far beyond painting and pottery with many. Her life reflected faith in action, service to others, and a deep commitment to lifelong learning.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 8, 2026 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home with a Rosary beginning at 6 p.m. 

There will also be one hour of visitation Friday, January 9, 2026 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church beginning at 9 a.m. prior to the 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial.

Burial will follow at West Goshen Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Boys and Girls Club of Goshen, St. John’s Catholic Church designated for the Youth Group, or the Goshen Painter’s Guild.