Jerry O'Neal

Jerry ONeal, 70, of the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, formerly of Early, Iowa, died early Friday morning, July 13th, at the IVH Dack Building. Funeral services and a celebration of Jerrys life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, July 16th, at the Iowa Veterans Home Chapel. He will be laid to rest in the Iowa Veterans Home Cemetery. Friends may call at the IVH Chapel one-hour prior to the services. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Jerry and his family. Ph 641-844-1234. His family wishes to express their sincere thanks for the wonderful, loving care that he received while at the IVH. He truly was accepted as part of their family making his passing much easier. Born on December 15th, 1936, in Storm Lake, Iowa, he was the son of Paul and Minnie (Klindt) ONeal. He received his education in Early, Iowa and one year at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake. Jerry served our country honorably in the United States Army from March 12th, 1957, until receiving his honorable discharge on October 9th, of that same year. He later farmed southwest of Early, Iowa, and became a member of the Iowa Veterans home family in April of 2006. While at IVH, Mr. ONeal enjoyed crafts and did DJ for a 1950s music and dance. During his lifetime, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, music (especially 1950s, classic country and gospel), time with his grandchildren and having his beloved nieces and nephews come visit him on the farm and ride horses, hunt and fish. Mr. ONeal was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Odebolt and later the Lutheran Church in Early. Mr. ONeal was united in marriage to Sharon Peters and she has preceded him in death as did his parents. Left to mourn his loss are his children: Robyn (James) Smith of Brentwood, TN., Michael (Shelley) ONeal of Marshalltown, Dawn (Mark) Hermsen of Cedar Rapids, his precious grandchildren: Meghan and Lauren Smith, Christopher, Joshua, Logan, and Taylor ONeal, and Jack Hermsen, his brother Alvin (Thira) ONeal of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, nieces, nephews, and his IVH family.