Chariton newspaper, June 23, 2006:
Gerald James Farrell was born on December 19, 1923 in Benton Township, Lucas County, Iowa, to Ester Lutz and Fred Farrell. Jerry was the second oldest of eleven children. Jerry grew up in Benton Township.
During the Great Depression, Fred traded him to his Uncle Charlie for a milk cow and a saddle horse. Jerry worked his uncle's farm for a year and a half until his uncle's health was better. Jerry then went to Ames to study animal husbandry, but had to leave, because they could not afford the tuition. After he had returned home, he left for Chicago with a neighbor boy to become a boxer. Jerry boxed for two years before coming back to Lucas County.
In 1947, he was united in marriage to Mildred Geneva Ohmeus, in Lacona, and moved to a nearby farm owned by Mildred's father. To this union, five beloved children were born, Gerald James, Jr; Carolyn Jean; Shirley Ann; Patrick Edward; and Kaye Ellen.
Jerry had a passion for rough and tough, and rodeo became a family affair, as Jerry and his brothers Ed and Joe, operated Farrell Brothers Rodeo Company a number of years. Mildred and the kids traveled with him like a band of gypsies from one rodeo to another. Jerry was a free spirit, who loved to have a good time. Practical jokes were a way of life in the Farrell family and Jerry loved to play them on his siblings, children and grandchildren.
After the death of his wife Mildred, in December of 1966, Jerry was faced with the new challenge of raising five children, one merely six days old, alone. Jerry was able to accomplish this task for several years, due greatly to the generous support of his siblings.
Jerry was lucky enough to have two loves in his lifetime. In March of 1975, Jerry married Bobbie (Jewel) Halterman, a single mother of five children. Jerry grew to love Sandra Kay, Karen Faye, Randy Lee, William Lee, and Delbert Lee. Together, Bobbie and Jerry finished raising their family. Although there were many hard times, Bobbie and Jerry worked their way through side by side. They worked together building garages and doing odd jobs to keep the family afloat. It was during this time that Jerry obtained his millwright certification.
After the children were raised, Bobbie and Jerry moved to Chariton. Where Jerry enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. The grandchildren always loved to hear grandpa's tall, tall tales. He shared with them his love of animals, rodeo, rough housing and a good prank.
On June 11, 2006 Jerry passed away peacefully in his sleep. He has now rejoined his loved ones who preceded him in death including his wife Mildred; his parents; his brothers: Richard Edward, Don, Carl, and Charlie; his sisters: Mary, Barbara Del and Johnetta.
Jerry will be greatly missed by his wife, Bobbie of Chariton; his sons, Gerald (Jim) Farrell and Jean of Carlisle; Pat Farrell and Shari of Chariton; Randy Halterman and Cindy of Russell; Bill Halterman of Chariton and Delbert Halterman, II of Ottumwa; his daughters, Carolyn Moody-Farrell and Larry of Des Moines; Shirley and Sam Goering of Indianola; Kaye Hunkle of Indianola; Sandra Fell and Mike of Oskaloosa; and Karen Pullen of Altoona; his brothers: Joe Farrell and Joey of Chariton; and Robert Farrell and Betty of Houston, Texas; sisters-in-law: Joan Farrell of Chariton; Cecelia Farrell of Joliett, Illinois and Katie Farrell of Vale, Iowa; 29 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at the Fielding Funeral Home with Pator Chris Reynolds officiating. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery.