Edwin William Jewell

Edwin William Jewell journeyed to be with Christ on Aug. 9, 2021. Ed was a Christmas present to his mother, Edith Mae, and his father, Ernst A. Jewell, born Dec. 25, 1931, in their home in Havre.

He grew up on a farm and even rode his horse to a rural schoolhouse until his brother, Bob, was in high school. Then they both attended school in town. Ed graduated from Havre High School in 1949. Afterward he attended Northern Montana College to earn an associate’s degree. He enlisted in the Navy in July 1951 and served almost four years. After the enlistment, Ed returned to Northern Montana College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in teaching history with a minor in mathematics in 1957. Furthering his education at the University of Montana in Missoula, he received a master’s in education in 1961.

His degree landed him with a job teaching high school math in Libby in 1957. Later on, he taught in the junior high and was principal at McGrade, Asa Wood and Central elementary schools. The biggest adventure was finding and pursuing a young schoolteacher who was dropped off at his front door, Martha M. Heinle. Martha agreed to marry Ed and they were wed Dec. 27, 1961.

They lived all but a few years in Libby, raising their two kids. They also hosted a Chilean exchange student, Melvin Romero, from 1982 to 1983. Ed’s hobbies included farming, gardening, huckleberry picking, quilting, baking, square dancing, reading and he loved watching a good movie. He always had time to listen to his kids, even if he was busy. Ed was involved in many activities in the community: Red Cross, Lions Club, working at the city pool, attending lifesaving classes, Combined Campaign, etc.

Ed is survived by his wife of 59 years, Martha Jewell of Libby; son, Ted Jewell and his wife, Lynette, and two daughters, Elee and Ava, of Libby and Ted’s stepdaughter, Koni Coursien, and her three children; daughter, Susan (Jewell) Sweet, and her husband, Frank, of Airway Heights, Wash., their sons, Cameron Sweet of Lacey, Wash., and Casey and Anna Sweet, and their two boys, Cael and Jack, of Montgomery, Ala.; and daughter, Catie Sweet of Spokane, Wash.; and many nephews and nieces. He also is survived by his sister-in-law, Marleen Jewell (brother Bob’s wife) of Great Falls.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Edith Mae (Hickethier) Jewell; brother, Bob Jewell; and sister, Edith Fay (Jewell) Tinker, and her husband, Larry Tinker. Services will be at 11 a.m., Aug. 21, 2021, at Christ Lutheran Church in Libby. Visitation will be held from 1 to 7 p.m., Aug. 20, 2021, at Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby. In lieu of flowers, Ed would have appreciated gifts to your favorite charitable organization.

Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.