JERRY DIGGER O'DELL Obituary's Obituary
Jerry 'Digger' O'Dell, a life - long resident of Corydon, Iowa met his Maker on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at the Wayne County Hospital. Jerry was 83. Jerry was born on August 1, 1928, in the home right next door to where he currently lived. He was the only son of Curtis F. O'Dell and Thelma Marie Rynor O'Dell. He attended country school, graduating from Corydon High School in 1947. He went on to Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa and returned to Wayne County and worked for the Davis Brothers. He later purchased his own heavy equipment from Bob and Jim Davis and employed the 'Becker Boys'. This business continued nearly 47 years. In 1953, he met and married Mary Jo Watts. To this union their daughter Jeralee was born. He later reconnected with his High School sweetheart, Lynne Sutton - Weaver. Jerry lost Lynne this past summer and it was then his own health began to fail; however, he continued to stay active as possible devoting all his time and energy to his family and friends. Jerry served on the Wayne County Board of Supervisors from January 1987 thru December 2010. He was instrumental in the development, construction and operation of the New Venture Group Home and was involved in the County Farm. Jerry served on various Boards and Commissions; including but not limited to: Wayne County Development Corporation, long time member of the Wayne - Ringgold - Decatur County Solid Waste Management, Chariton Valley Planning and Development, Iowa Watershed, RC&D, Rathbun Regional Recycling, where he took the lead role in the development of the recycling program, working various counties and agencies obtaining grant funds for the trailers that are still being used yet today, Rathbun Land and Water Alliance and the Juvenile Group Home. Jerry also took extreme interest in carpentry work and hunting in the great outdoors. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father Shuble McDaniel, Lynne Weaver and grandson Brett 'Hickory' McMurry. He is survived by his daughter Jeralee and husband John McCarty of Corydon, Iowa; step-children Celine and husband Lane Kuehl of Johnston, Iowa; Craig and wife Bonnie McMurry of Corydon, Iowa; grandchildren Jeremy and Julie McCarty of West Des Moines, Iowa, Jennifer and Mitch Cashatt of Parkersburg, Iowa, Kelsey Noll of Johnston, Iowa and Echo McMurry of Corydon, Iowa; great grandchildren Estelle and Ireland Cashatt of Parkersburg, Iowa and his beloved companion 'Birdee'. The Legacy of Jerry bears tribute to what small town, rural America has stood for. He was a multi-tasking 'super man' making every effort to connect and reconnect people - both family and friends by teaching and outreachingâ?¦.. Book Travel to Services To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of JERRY DIGGER O'DELL Obituary please visit our Sympathy Store.
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