DeWitt, Jean M. (1922-1988)

DEWITT, DANA, MEILS, WALL

Posted By: Colleen Ossman (email)
Date: 5/1/2008 at 20:04:59

(Printed in Jewell paper)

Jean M. DeWitt

Jean M. DeWitt, of rural Jewell, died Sunday evening, May 29, at the Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Funeral services were held Wednesday morning at 10:30 at the Federated United Church of Christ in Jewell. Pastor Paul Beckman officiated and burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery in Jewell.

Jean was born to John and Ruth (Dana) Meils on Sept. 22, 1922 in Manson, Ia. She attended school there and received her Normal Training, graduating from Manson High School in 1939. She then attended Iowa State Teachers College, graduating in 1941. Jean taught school in Farnhamville.

On November 27, 1942, she married Robert C. DeWitt in Manson. Ia. They farmed near Farnhamville and Rinard until 1950 when they moved to their farm near Jewell.

Besides being active with farming, Jean was a church and community volunteer. She was a 4-H leader, served as President of the P.T.A., was a teacher and director of Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Jean taught elementary classes in South Hamilton at both the Randall and Jewell centers from 1963-1979. She was a member of the Jewell Women's Club, Hawkeye Dodgers Good Sam Club, PEO, Iowa Sheep Producers Auxiliary, Hamilton County Historical Society, Hamilton county Genealogical Society, the Federated United Church of Christ, Federated Women's Fellowship, and sesrved as Delegate to the United Church of Christ Conference.

Jean is survived by her husband, Robert, a son, John R. DeWitt of Des Moines, a daughter, Helen Jean Wall of Alden and Mike Meils of Mesa, Az., her mother, Mrs. Ruth Meils of Manson, a brother, John S. Meils of Rockwell City, and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father and a sister, Bette.