Jean Paul

Irma Jean Paul, 98, died peacefully at Woodside Manor, Green Bay, WI on January 18, 2025. She is survived by her daughter, Jean Anne Paul, of San Antonio, TX; son John (Mary) Paul; granddaughter Elizabeth (Mike) Matzke of Green Bay, WI; grandson Ian Paul of Waukesha, WI; and cousin Barbara Ann Gish of Arden, NC, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, who are scattered throughout the United States.

Irma “Jean” was born June 14, 1926, at home in Holly Grove, Arkansas to Vesta Grisham Boyle and Johnny Patrick Boyle. The youngest of eight, she claimed she was “spoiled rotten” by her brothers and sisters. She graduated in 1944 from Brinkley High School, Brinkley, AR. Upon graduation, she entered Baptist Memorial School of Nursing, Memphis, TN, and graduated in 1947. She began her career in 1948 at Children’s Hospital Louisville, Kentucky. It was here that she first encountered her future husband, Jed Paul, who was a medical student in Louisville.

In 1950, she completed post-graduate education in pediatric nursing at Children’s Hospital Washington, D.C. She crossed paths with Jed Paul once again in Washington, D.C. On July 13, 1951, Jean and Jed married at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral, Louisville, KY, and were married for 51 years. The couple traveled to where the US Navy decided they would live. Assignments included Bethesda Naval Hospital, Maryland; Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba; and Great Lakes Naval Base, Chicago. Jean, Jed and their two children moved to Creston, Iowa in 1962, where Jed became a part of Creston Medical Clinic. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Creston Schools were an integral part of their lives. When St. Paul’s Creston closed, Jean became part of the Salem Lutheran Church Family.

Jean never met a stranger and was always ready, willing and able to help wherever there was a need. She worked at Greater Community Hospital beginning in 1982 and served for many years as a volunteer with Green Valley Hospice and Respite Care. She was a faithful member of Chapter LG P.E.O., Elzevir Reading Circle, Crestmoor Golf Club, Southern Prairie Family Fitness Center (formerly the YMCA). Jean was always on the go and enjoyed bowling, golfing, Silver Sneakers exercise class, playing bridge and working with friends through numerous, social, religious and service groups.

Following the death of her beloved husband, Jed, in 2002, Jean lived in her Creston home with a four-legged fur baby, Zacchaeus, followed by her “Angel Dog,” Hannah. From her childhood until her move to Wisconsin, she was rarely without a beloved pet.

In addition to her husband and her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her seven brothers and sisters: James “Marvin” (Delorise) Boyle, Georgia Marie Mavity, Fredrick Keith Boyle, Joseph Houston Boyle, Johnny “Kenneth” (Jerline) Boyle, Virginia Parma (Thomas Bruce) Bennett, and Robert Emmett (Elsie) Boyle.

In 2021, Jean moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin and was blessed to be able to spend 3 years near her son, daughter-in-law and grandkids. Jean was grateful for the many Creston friends and neighbors who continued to remain in contact.

A memorial service and burial will occur in Creston, Iowa at a time and date yet to be determined.