JoEllen Gillespie

Jodie was born on September 7, 1960, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Howell and Ellen (Goodrich) Reeve. She graduated from Papillion High School in 1978 and earned an Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, Nebraska, in 1980. She later earned a Medical Office Certificate from Central Community College in 1993.

While working at a veterinary clinic in David City, Nebraska, Jodie met Steven R. Fiala, whom she married on April 12, 1983. Together they welcomed two children, Elizabeth and Scott. On October 7, 2005, Jodie married Jeffrey L. Gillespie of Tampa, Florida. Through this marriage, she gained a bonus son, Christopher, and two bonus daughters, Jessica and Sara.

Throughout her life, Jodie found joy in helping others. While living in David City, she was active in the Jaycees and enjoyed giving her time to community activities. Her career reflected that same spirit of service. She worked in the medical field as a billing specialist and in education as a special education teacher's aide and children's librarian. Whether helping patients navigate health insurance, supporting students in the classroom, or connecting a child with a favorite book, Jodie approached every opportunity to help with kindness, patience, and compassion. Prior to her retirement, she worked as a medical billing specialist for Heartland Women's Healthcare in Papillion.

Jodie loved gardening, thrifting, traveling, and cheering on Nebraska women's volleyball. Above all, she treasured time spent with family. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, a supportive sister, a fun-loving aunt, a generous friend, and an animal lover. An outgoing mischief-maker with a warm heart, she brought joy to all who knew her. While cancer ultimately ended her life, it never took her humor, her dignity, or her fierce love for the people around her. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Jodie was preceded in death by her husband, Jeffrey Gillespie; her parents, Howell and Ellen Reeve; her sister, Mary Beth Chism; and her infant brother, Daniel Reeve.

She is survived by her children, Elizabeth Fiala, Scott Fiala, Christopher Gillespie, Jessica (James) Hernandez, and Sara (Miguel) Sira; her brother, Robert (Kathlyn) Reeve; her sister, Beverly Reeve; and her cherished grandsons, Roy and James Sira.

A celebration of Jodie's life will be announced at a later date. Her ashes will be interred alongside her husband, Jeff, at Florida National Cemetery.