Martha “Marty” Ann Jarnagin (née McElroy), of East St. Louis, Illinois, was born on August 23, 1943. She passed away peacefully at home on July 29, 2026 at the age of 82, surrounded by the love of her family.
For more than 40 years, Marty devoted her career to caring for others as a nurse at St. Elizabeth. While nursing was an important part of her life, her family was always at the center of everything. She treasured every opportunity to spend time with those she loved, especially her great-grandson, Wyatt, who brought her endless joy.
Marty found happiness in life’s everyday moments. She loved shopping with her sister, Mary Ellen, and never missed her nightly phone calls with her best friend, Kay. She adored her faithful dog, Czar. Marty was as sweet as she was forthright, never hesitating to speak her mind. She often ended her thoughts with her signature phrase, “And all that!”, words that will forever bring a smile to those who knew and loved her.
Marty was blessed to share 49 years with the love of her life, Frankie Greathouse, until his passing in 2021. She was also preceded in death by her parents, John Allen and Dorothy (Hudgins) McElroy; her daughter, Michele Jarnagin; her grandchildren, Alicia Lohr, Megan Lohr, Zoey Jarnagin, and Zachary Jarnagin; and her siblings, Robert Allen McElroy and Mary Ellen McElroy.
Cherishing her memory are her son, Michael Jarnagin, and daughter-in-law, Peggy Kleinschmidt; her grandchildren, Alexandra Lohr, Belle Jarnagin, Amber Moss, Kasey (Matt) Wolf, Kyle (Raquel) Kleinschmidt, and Kevin (Emily) Kleinschmidt; her great-grandchildren, Wyatt Wolf, Kinze Kleinschmidt, Oliver Kleinschmidt, and Hayleigh Hampton; along with many other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to help fund the education of her beloved great-grandson, Wyatt.
