Dr. Jeraldine Frances Hooton "Jeri" Horn

Jeraldine “Jeri” Hooton Horn

Dr. Jeraldine Frances Hooton Horn – known by all as “Jeri” – passed from this life to the next on Friday, October 27, 2023, at the age of 95. She was born on August 24, 1928, in Versailles, Indiana, to Troy and Myrna (Bronnenberg) Hooton, and had two younger sisters. She married Robert “Bob” Horn on December 24, 1949, and they had six children. Bob and Jeri were married for 58 years until his death in 2008. Jeri received her BA in Education from Hanover College, her MA in Music Education as well as her doctorate in Psychology from Ball State University. She taught in New Castle and Knightstown Schools, and was a private practice marriage and family therapist in New Castle until her retirement…

…These are the basic facts of Jeri’s life, but no person can be summed up with basic facts – least of all Jeri, who was, quite simply, an extraordinary person.

Those who knew Jeri would have a myriad of adjectives to describe her:
brilliant, driven, fun and funny, strong, infinitely creative, insatiably curious, determined, accomplished, opinionated, a problem-solver, enthusiastic, and – above all – passionate. She loved many things, but she didn’t like housework, taking “no” for an answer, or following rules that didn’t make sense to her – so she didn’t.

Her contributions to New Castle and Henry County were many, having served two terms on County Council, and, in 1991, co-chairing the development of the city strategic plan. She was on the board of the Arts Council, and helped fund the iconic LOVE statue in the Arts Park. In 1984 she was honored as New Castle’s Citizen of the Year, and in 1991, she was given an Indiana Jefferson Award for community volunteerism.

She always had beloved pets – dogs in particular – and there were many over the years. New Castle citizens will remember seeing her in her signature red hat walking her dog to the courthouse or library or downtown.

Jeri was a nature-lover, and was outside whenever possible. Most weekends for many years were spent at the family “farm” near Oldenburg, where she collected wildflowers, rode horses, swam in the pond and taught her children the names of trees. The farm remains a cherished family gathering place.

She enjoyed antiques and auctions, and if you bid against her, you would lose.

Jeri loved performers and performing, having written and directed the annual Christmas play at the First Friends Church for over 30 years. For Easter one year, Jeri staged The Trial of Jesus in the Henry County Courthouse. As a music teacher in Knightstown, she directed musicals and extravaganzas, and even taught square dancing. She founded the Performing Artists of Henry County, as well as New Castle Fairy Tale Theatre for children. An accomplished pianist, she not only performed in multiple venues, but also created innumerable church and community programs and singing groups.

Jeri had a special passion for books and music. She had hundreds of books covering a spectacular range of topics like religion, humor, science, history, art and architecture. Her musical tastes were equally eclectic: swing, classical, crooners, rock and roll, folk, bluegrass, Broadway soundtracks, even hip hop. She never lagged behind the musical times, seeking out her grandchildren for recommendations.

But, most of all, Jeri loved her family. She didn’t just love them; she adored them, believed in them, encouraged them, and was exceedingly proud of them. To Jeri, her greatest accomplishment was that all of her children and grandchildren graduated from college. Education was of the utmost importance to Jeri, and she made it her legacy.

Jeri spent several years writing her memoir, which was published last year for family. Her advice to her grandchildren was simple:
• By and large, people are good, or desperately want to be.
• Be careful, and don’t try to beat the yellow light.
• Finish what you start.
• Keep starting.
• LOVE all you can.

Jeri was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Marita Cizek and Delores Hazzard, her husband, Bob, her daughter Valerie Horn, and her son Kirk (Rita) Horn. She will be missed by daughter Vicki (Chris) Wertz, son Robert “Bucky” (Diann Bowers) Horn, daughter Suzanne Davis, and daughter Karen (Matt) Snyder, as well as 17 adoring grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and all who knew her. The family thanks Denise Kruse, Gretchen Johnson, Nikki Riley, Paradigm Hospice and the staff of Memory Care at The Forum at the Crossing for their exceptional care.

We will celebrate the depth and breadth of Jeri’s life at New Castle First Friends Meeting, 503 S Main St, New Castle, Indiana, this Friday, November 3. Calling will be from 2:00p to 4:00p with Celebration of Life service at 4:00p. Pastor Rick Schoeff will be officiating. Flowers or memorial donations to First Friends Meeting may be sent to the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Condolences and memories of Jeri may be shared at www.hinsey-brown.com .