August 11, 1944 – December 19, 2025
Peggy Jo Jennings, 81, Cicero, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, December 19, 2025, at her daughter’s home, surrounded by her loving family. Born August 11, 1944, in Anderson, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Joseph H. and Lela Jean (Coleman) Mullikin.
She was a 1962 graduate of Markleville High School. Peggy later went to work for Brockway Glass in Lapel, where she enjoyed a 38-year career as an inspector. She retired from the company in 1999.
Peggy was a 20-year member of Hinkle Creek Friends Church in Noblesville, and for the last 16 of those years, was proud to be able to share that alongside her granddaughter, Madeline. Peggy was a people person, and church was one of the places she was able to let her gift shine. Peggy was a greeter at church; to say she loved that position would be an understatement. She handed out the service bulletins to everyone as they would come in, but the most important part of her job was talking to everybody that walked through those doors. She never liked missing a Sunday, and on the rare occasion that she did, her absence was felt by the members of the congregation.
There was nothing more important to Peggy than family. She was the self-appointed family communicator; she made sure she kept in touch with everybody and kept everyone else updated on what was going on. One of the best parts about a visit with Peggy was the unpredictable nature of the conversations. When a topic popped in her head, she went with it. During those talks, you were guaranteed at least one of her trademark comments: “whatever,” “and everything,” “but I just let it go,” and “I reckon, you know” to name a few. With the advent of cell phones, catching up became more convenient and frequent, with almost daily calls from her granddaughter, Melanie, and her grandson, Mikey. Every communication, no matter how insignificant, ended with a “love you.”
She loved sharing her passions and experiences with those she loved. Peggy was a wonderful cook and a fabulous candy maker. Every Christmas, the kitchen turned into ground zero for her much-anticipated candy making adventures. No one knows who got the most joy out of it – the maker of the goodies, or those who were lucky enough to receive them. She loved beautiful flowers (especially the orchid she received for Mother’s Day), and starting the morning with pastries and a cup (or two) of coffee. On the list of favorite activities, fishing would rank pretty close to the top. There was no bad time for a fishing trip, and no bad fishing companion. If you wanted to go, she was your fishing guide. Out on the water, fishing from the dock, or just casting off the bank, she knew how to catch ’em. Peggy also had a pretty good system worked out for eating what they caught. She would fillet and prep them, but you were gonna do the frying. At the end of the day, it doesn’t get much better than a family fish fry.
Peggy’s strength, determination, and love for her family are the core of the legacy she leaves behind. After her diagnosis, her thoughts immediately shifted to “I’m just worried about my grandkids.”
Peggy is survived by three daughters, Kristina Dellingner (Rick) of Martinsville, Dee McKinney (Keith) of Cicero, and Shelly Jennings of Anderson; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Carolyn Haskett of Anderson; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph H. and Lela Jean (Coleman) Mullikin; daughter, Terri Massingill; son, Jerry McGuire, Jr.; stepson, Scott Jennings; two grandchildren, Ray Massingill, and Grace Holman; three sisters, Susan Jane Mullikin, Mary Jean Mullikin, and Rhonda Mullikin; and brother-in-law, Robert Haskett.
Services will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, December 29, 2025, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Hinkle Creek Cemetery in rural Noblesville. Pastor Bob Stubbs will be officiating.
As she would often tell her kids, “Have sweet honest dreams – love you.”
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com