Jerri Lee (McLaren) Palechka, 73, an Indiana native residing in Darlington, South Carolina, passed away, unexpectedly, on December 16, 2025. She was born on September 23, 1952, in Terre Haute, Indiana to Jack Lee McLaren and Genevieve (Jenny) McLaren.
She was a graduate of Metamora High School and attended David Lipscomb University to study music, however, Jerri's true passion was her love for God, family and animals. Jerri had the voice of an angel and blessed anyone who had the chance to hear her sing. While attending college, Jerri had been a member of Up with People, and carried that singing passion with her as she later became a member of the PACC, Peoria Area Civic Chorale, in Peoria, Illinois. Jerri's passion for singing was only surpassed by her love for her family, faith, and her beloved fur-babies that, as her children lovingly joked about, she had more photos on the walls of pets than of them. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt and child of God who would light up any room with her smile, infectious laughter and love of life. She was a woman of many talents, passions, and causes but it will be her strong faith in God, her amazingly huge heart, forgiving nature and her undeniable ability to show strength in the face of adversity that will live on forever in the hearts of those that have known her.
Jerri is survived by her loving husband of 18 years, James M. Palechka, her sister Julie (Ted) Wilson, 3 children, Brandon (Rachael) McKee, Carrie Hiemstra, and Stephen (Alejandra) Webster. 16 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and nieces, Lori Daniels (Tim) and Samantha Nutt.
In honor of Jerri's wishes, there will be no funeral services, however a celebration of life will be announced by her family at a later date. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made in Jerri's name to your local animal adoption/rescue center or by this link provided by the family:
https://everloved.com/life-of/jerri-palechka/?flow=264
She was a graduate of Metamora High School and attended David Lipscomb University to study music, however, Jerri's true passion was her love for God, family and animals. Jerri had the voice of an angel and blessed anyone who had the chance to hear her sing. While attending college, Jerri had been a member of Up with People, and carried that singing passion with her as she later became a member of the PACC, Peoria Area Civic Chorale, in Peoria, Illinois. Jerri's passion for singing was only surpassed by her love for her family, faith, and her beloved fur-babies that, as her children lovingly joked about, she had more photos on the walls of pets than of them. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, aunt and child of God who would light up any room with her smile, infectious laughter and love of life. She was a woman of many talents, passions, and causes but it will be her strong faith in God, her amazingly huge heart, forgiving nature and her undeniable ability to show strength in the face of adversity that will live on forever in the hearts of those that have known her.
Jerri is survived by her loving husband of 18 years, James M. Palechka, her sister Julie (Ted) Wilson, 3 children, Brandon (Rachael) McKee, Carrie Hiemstra, and Stephen (Alejandra) Webster. 16 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and nieces, Lori Daniels (Tim) and Samantha Nutt.
In honor of Jerri's wishes, there will be no funeral services, however a celebration of life will be announced by her family at a later date. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made in Jerri's name to your local animal adoption/rescue center or by this link provided by the family:
https://everloved.com/life-of/jerri-palechka/?flow=264
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jerri Lee Palechka, please visit our flower store.
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