Claypool, Carolyn Jean

Carolyn Jean Claypool, 70, of North English, died on Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, at Mercy Iowa City. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, at the Powell Funeral Home, North English. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the North English Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established for the North English Community Center.

Messages and tributes may be left at under obituaries.

Carolyn was born on Sept. 25, 1940, in Washington, D.C., the daughter of William L. and Hazel Weaver Boswell. She grew up blocks from the U.S. Capital and graduated from high school in Washington, D.C., in 1960. She was united in marriage to Winston R. Claypool on Feb. 19, 1960, at the Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. After their wedding they headed to North English where the “city girl” grew to love the country life. Carolyn worked a short time for Attorney Clarence Off, and as the city assessor and baby-sat. She later worked 22 years as a secretary in the Bio-Engineering Department at the University of Iowa.

Carolyn suffered a stroke in March 2004, which dramatically changed her life. She and Winston traveled to China for four months, where she received therapy and care. Carolyn enjoyed traveling in their motor home, watching her birds, crocheting before her stroke and loved being with her family.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, Winston of North English; two daughters, Tina (Jay) Mihulka of Wentzville, Mo., and Tammy (Jeff) Hootman of Iowa City; three grandchildren, Sam, Molly and Tucker Mihulka; a brother, Mike (Joan) Boswell of Mechanicsville, Md.; a sister, Patricia DeSaulneir of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.