Jerri Carel

Jerri Lynn Carel, 54, of Louisville, passed peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, June 21, 2013 at Baptist East Hospital.

Jerri was born on Friday, December 26, 1958 in Bensenville, IL to Rudolph and Nell Gron. She was raised on a small farm in Marengo, IL that her family built together in 1963. Jerri graduated with the class of 1977 at Marengo Community High School. She attended Northern Illinois University from 1977 to 1979, where she met the love of her life, Ron Carel, upon her first week of arrival. Jerri and Ron wed during the summer of 1980 and gave birth to their only child, Michael, during the summer of 1982. They resided in the Chicago suburbs for many years until moving to Louisville in 2000.

Jerri worked in sales for Verifone for the last 19 years. She enjoyed reading and going to the movies. She had an incredible love for animals from a young age and spent the last 17 years volunteering her time to help ferrets, including opening her own shelter, The Ferret Haven, in Louisville. She was a kind and generous person with a big heart who would, without hesitation, gladly help any animal or friend that was in need.

Jerri will be celebrated and sadly missed by her husband of 32 years, Ron; a son, Michael Carel (Adrienne); her father, Rudolph Gron; two sisters, Jeanie Shafer (Tim), Linda Resenbeck (Dan); two nieces, Amanda Shafer and Cassie Shafer; four nephews, Perry Shafer, Christian Resenbeck, Elliot Resenbeck, and Owen Resenbeck.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at Middletown Christian Church 500 N. Watterson Trail Louisville, KY 40243 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Service will immediately follow the visitation.