Jennola Louise (Wilson) McClara

Jennola Louise (Wilson) McClara departed this life on Thursday, October 17, 2024, in the loving company of her daughters. She had resided in Indianapolis since the fall of 2022. Jennola was born on March 17, 1935, in Jackson County, to Hollis and Evelyn (Heller) Wilson. She spoke fondly of her childhood from time at her grandparents’ home and attending school. She loved classwork and excelled in learning, achieving awards in various competitions and participating in musical activities. Jennola always enjoyed keeping in contact with classmates after graduation and always looked forward to attending Brownstown High School’s Alumni Banquet. After graduating from high school in 1953, Jennola moved to Indianapolis, where she lived with an aunt. She worked as a secretary, including at Columbia Pictures downtown, for several years. She married William (“Tom”) Otto McClara on December 30, 1955, in Indianapolis. Jennola and Tom welcomed their daughter, Shawn, in 1956, and their daughter, Holly, in 1959. They lived and worked in Indianapolis until the mid-1960s, when they moved to Brownstown and built a home on what was then known as Venus Road. While Tom continued to work in Indianapolis, Jennola began working in the Jackson County REMC billing department and continued in the position for many years. While working there full-time and raising her family, Jennola moved her seriously ill mother onto her property so she could take care of her until Evelyn passed in 1971. Jennola was devoted to caring for others. After leaving REMC, Jennola began doing private home care and worked as an assistant at the Hoosier Christian Village. After Tom died in 1993, she spent many years volunteering her time at Anchor House Food Pantry and Schneck Medical Center’s visitor center. Once the health of her son-in-law, Ed, deteriorated, Jennola assisted in taking care of him at home, along with her daughter. The home in the country had much land to take care of and Jennola was always known to be either mowing or tending to her landscaping. She continued her love of being active after later moving into town and enjoyed taking many long walks. She also enjoyed reading and watching movies, particularly those related to American history and the Bible. She loved to sing and was a member of the Brownstown Christian Church Choir. In her later years, Jennola loved traveling. She enjoyed outings to French Lick and the Covered Bridge Festival with the senior group from her church. Wanting to experience areas she had read about, Jennola began bus tour trips to see such sights as New England, Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore, and the Grand Canyon and kept in touch with those in the group she traveled with. Perhaps her most loved trip was to the Holy Land, where she was baptized in the Jordan River. After experiencing health challenges, she moved to Indianapolis to live with her daughter, Holly, and son-in-law, Ed. Although she continued to face health issues, she continued her love of reading, watching movies, and completing various word puzzles. Jennola is survived by two daughters: Shawn (William) Teets, and Holly McClara; and one sister, Deborah (Sandy) Carroll. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hollis and Evelyn (Heller) Wilson; husband, Tom McClara; son-in-law, Edwin Williams; one sister, Marilyn Maschino; one brother, Jack Wilson; and many other dearly loved departed family members. Funeral services for Jennola Louise (Wilson) McClara will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown, with Pastor Scott Hookey officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or I.U. Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the caring staff at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc. Online memorials and condolences may be given at www.spurgeonfh.com

Jennola Louise (Wilson) McClara

March 17, 1935 - October 17, 2024