Arnel Elizabeth McNamar, age 65, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Thursday, January 25, 2024, at her home under hospice care.

Memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at the United Presbyterian Church with Reverend Erin Kaye officiating. Calling hours will begin at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday January 30th, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Washington Municipal Band and Hospice of Washington County. Online condolences may be sent for Arnel's family at www.jonesfh.com .

Arnel was born November 2, 1958, in Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Arnold and Eleanor (Christensen) Waring. Arnel attended high school in Dixon, Illinois and then graduated from Iowa Wesleyan with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. She was united in marriage to Tom McNamar on March 31, 2023.

Arnel has lived in Washington, Iowa, since 1983. She worked as a Nurse at the Washinton County Hospital in the Labor and Delivery Department. Arnel later worked as a Nurse for Hospice of Washington County. She was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church where she was the director of the Bell Choir and served on many committees. She was a member of the Washington Municipal Band for 40 years where she played the flute and piccolo. Arnel was also a member of the Southeast Iowa Band in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She enjoyed crafting and belonged to the Stamp it Up club.

Arnel is survived by her husband, Tom McNamar of Washington, Iowa; three sons: Zachary (Courtney) Baughman of Keota, Iowa; Jacob Baughman of Waterloo, Iowa; and Benjamin Baughman and fiancé Lexi of Dubuque, Iowa; four grandchildren; and one sister, Amy (David) Badger of Dixon, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents in 2019.