Harriet Louise (Speer) Jewell

Mrs. Harriet Louise Jewell, 89, of Osborn, Illinois, and longtime resident of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Muscatine, Iowa, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 11, 2016, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and its complications.

A private family service will be held at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt, Iowa.

Mrs. Jewell was born Harriet Louise Speer on January 26, 1927, in Erie, Pennsylvania to James Kirker and Alice May (Fulmer) Speer. She was married to Harry Wade Jewell on June 30, 1946, at the Speer residence in Ashtabula, Ohio.

Harriet was an engaging, colorful, inquisitive woman, deeply committed to the Lord, to her family and to the ministries of the church, and ever striving to better herself. She loved to cook and sew for the family, as well as travel and camp every summer.  After her own children were grown, Harriet cared for many young children for many years.  She has always had a soft spot in her heart for babies.  Harriet and Harry continued to enjoy travel, and in their retirement years, traveled with MMAP (Mobil Missionary Assistant Program), on projects across the country.  She saw many moves during her life--with residences in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Iowa, Michigan, and Illinois. Her life spanned from the Great Depression and World War II, through to the 15th anniversary of 9/11. She had a wonderful marriage of 58 years, and a large family who loved and revered her.

Harriet is survived by her children Patricia (Howard) Rowe of Muscatine, Iowa; Barbara (Raymond) Stanford of Rock Island, Illinois; James (Debra) Jewell of Batavia, Illinois; and Pamela (David) Hartung of Grand Rapids, Michigan; by 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and by her sister Shirley Sandy.

She was preceded in death by her infant daughter Barbara Ann Jewell, her husband Harry Wade Jewell, and her grandson Matthew Gordon Rowe; as well as her siblings James Fulmer Speer, Marjorie Alice Speer, and Alice Anderson Rich.

We celebrate her rich life and legacy, and the firm knowledge that she is now in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ; and hand-in-hand with her beloved, Harry.

Condolences may be expressed and a photo tribute viewed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com