Jeralee McCarty's Obituary
Jeralee O'Dell McCarty, 67 completed her circle of life on 03-12-23 after a long battle of end stage COPD.Jeralee was born on July 2nd, 1955, the first and only child born to Jerald (Digger) O'Dell and Mary Jo (Watts) O'Dell in Corydon, Iowa. She was the second baby born at the newly constructed Wayne County Hospital.
Jeralee was known to many as Jeebs, while growing up in Corydon. She attended school at Wayne Community High School graduating in 1973. While attending high school one of her biggest tormentors, ultimately ended up to be her best friend, and soul mate, her husband John. They were married on November 24th, 1974. To this union 2 children were born. Jeremy John was born August 27th, 1976 and Jennifer Marie joined her brother on February 14th, 1979.
From 1968 to 1971, Jeralee was a candy striper at the Wayne County Hospital, which ultimately led her to a lifelong passion for nursing. After working for the Wayne Community Hospital from 1968-1985, she decided it was her calling to go back to school to obtain her nursing degree. She then went on to Grand View College, where she obtained her BSN (Bachelors of Nursing) degree. Graduating from college in 1989, she went back to the Wayne County Hospital, until her retirement in 2020. During these years she also worked at the Wayne Family Clinic (now South Central Iowa Medical Clinic), as the school nurse in the Wayne Elementary, and was also the Director/RN at Murphy Place, all while still working at the hospital.
Jeralee spent over 50 years caring and working for those in her community. She took so much pride in helping others through her work and giving back to mankind.
Jeralee enjoyed cooking and baking when she was not helping others. Her homemade pies and crust was known to many. Jeralee love spending time with her family, friends, but especially making memories with her grandkids. She was a member of PEO and Eastern Star.
Jeralee is survived by her husband Johnny; son Jeremy (Julie) McCarty; daughter Jennifer (Mitch) Cashatt; grandchildren Estelle Cashatt, Ireland Cashatt, Boone Cashatt; stepsister Celine McMurry; niece Kelsey Noll; bonus sister Lee Ann Peck and her kids Matthew Peck, Erin (Tate) Stansbery, Wade Peck; her beloved dogs Annie and Robee; along with many extended family members and friends.
Jeralee is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Thomas Funeral Home- Corydon with CJ McMurry officiating. Interment will follow the service at Corydon Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Friday, March 17, 2023 with the family greeting friends from 5-7PM at Thomas Funeral Home Corydon, Memorials have been established to Every Step Hospice, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Jeralee McCarty, 303 East Jefferson Street, PO BOX 294, Corydon, and Iowa 50060. Condolences may be shared online or on our funeral home Facebook page.
Jerelee's service will be live streamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/jeralee-mccarty
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