March 09, 1921 – January 06, 2017
George Wesley Jewell, 95, Oceanside, California and formerly of Gillett, Wisconsin, passed away Friday January 6th, 2017.
He was born March 9th 1921 in Gillett to Robert W. and Bernice (Scutt) Jewell, one of ten children. George was baptized in Gillett Methodist Church and went to Quarterline Grade School, a one room school house. He graduated from Gillett High School, class of 1939 and later enlisted in the US Army in April of 1941. George served with the 32nd Division Red Arrow in New Guinea and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.
He went to Marquette University on the G.I. Bill and graduated as a civil engineer. George moved to California and worked for Haliberton/Dick Chaney where he met and married, Betty Bryant.
Survivors are one son, Jeffery (Debbi) Jewell of Sima Valley, California; granddaughters Pam and Cindy Jewell and one great-grandson, Kale. George also leaves his siblings: Lois Riemer, Cora Rotter-Boerst, Robert (Lynn) Jewell, Bernice (Robert) Paulson; sister- in-law Lorraine Jewell and Rosalee Jewell as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
George was preceded in death by his wife Betty, his brothers Wilmer (Leona), Harvey (Norma Jean) and Rodney Jewell; his sister Alice (Elmer) Hansen, Mary Jean; his brothers-in-law, Etheral McNulty and Victor Berger, Leon Riemer, Ollie Boerst and Bill Rotter as well as a sister-in-law Virginia Jewell.
George was a longtime blood donor until he was 90 and was also an organ donor. He always kept in touch with his classmates and Army buddies. He and his wife, Betty, loved traveling and go on cruises to European countries, as well as Russia, Australia and the Panama Canal.
George returned to Wisconsin often for family reunions, “Jewell-Gillette”. He always made a point to go across the railroad bridge over the Oconto River to his family farm where his family lived all their younger years. That farm was homesteaded by his great grandfather in 1880’s. As a young man, George enjoyed swimming every summer day with his entire neighborhood, playing horse shoes and ball games.
