JERRY J. STANSELL

NEW VIRGINIA, Iowa- Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 29, at New Virginia Cemetery for Jerry J Stansell, 88, who died peacefully on Monday, July 22, 2024, at the Veterans Medical Center in Des Moines. Pastor Paul Burrow will officiate.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kale Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at http://www.kalefuneralhome.com.

Survivors include his son, Brad Stansell, New Virginia; daughter, Erin Renee Ness and husband Steve, Sheldon, Mo.; son, Marshall Lough, South Dakota; granddaughter, Maria Borkowski; sister, Carol Lea; nephew, Matthew Birchfield, New Virginia; brother, John Stansell and Jerry Young, New Virginia; sister, Dawn Elaine Harrold and husband Jack, Caldwell, Idaho; sister-in-law, Cecee Stansell, Jenkins, Ark.; grandchildren, Steven Ness and wife Laney, Amber R. Ness and Jerral Denny, Elijah C. Marcus, Raven B. Stansell and Maria Lough; great-grandson, Daniel A. Denny; step-grandchildren, Taylor Girkin and Jerica Girkin and step-grandchildren, Bentley, Journey, Ariah, Onaleah and Savior Girkin, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Frances Stansell; father, John Orville Stansell; brother, Robert Dell Stansell; first wife, Coella Lee Burr Stansell; second wife, Emily McCoy Stansell; grandparents, Guernsey O. Stansell, Laura Belle Stansell, Maude G. Reed and Dell Reed and brother-in-law, Vernon Birchfield.

Mr. Stansell was born April 18, 1936, at the family home in New Virginia. He dedicated over 40 years of his professional life as a Safety Director and also ventured into real estate and bail bonding. Later in life, he found fulfillment working as a phlebotomist in Idaho. However, his favorite labor of love was tending to his 10 acre hobby farm near Lamar, Mo., where he cherished the country life and the company of many animals.

A talented basketball player in high school, he was an avid Dodger fan and enjoyed baseball throughout his life. He was deeply involved in his community, contributing to local history by writing for the Tri Corner Express and reuniting with the New Virginia United Methodist Church. While living in Missouri, he attended and was a member of the Metro Club. His commitment to public service was evident through his volunteer work as a fireman in the various towns he lived, and his involvement in booster clubs.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.