Forrest “Nick” Jewell
June 23rd, 1929 - May 15th, 2022
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Nick's Obituary
Former Sheriff Forrest “Nick” Jewell, 92, of Benton Harbor entered into eternal rest on Sunday May 15, 2022 at Spectrum Health Lakeland with his family by his side.
A celebration of life service will be held be at 10:00 on Saturday May 21 at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, 245 W. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor with Rev. Dan Golladay officiating. Burial will follow at Shanghai Cemetery in Pipestone Township. Friends may visit with the family from 3-7 on Friday May 20 at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph.
Memorial contributions may be made to Napier Parkview Baptist Church or Woodland Terrace of Coloma.
Nick was born on June 23, 1929 in Sodus to Burton and Eva Jewell. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School class of 1949 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 in the Korean War. On June 4, 1955 he married the love of his life Arlice Wagner and they were happily married for 66 years until her passing just 6 weeks ago on April 1, 2022. Nick received an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Lake Michigan College and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Nick was hired at the Berrien County Sheriff’s Dept. in Nov. 1955 and was promoted to Sergeant in 1959 . He was elected as Sheriff in 1968 and was re-elected 5 times before retiring in 1991. Programs implemented during his time as Sheriff include: Jail ministry through Forgotten Man Ministries, SWAT Team, Hazardous Materials Response Team, GED program for inmates, Bomb Team, Dept. Water Rescue Team, Jail training certification by certified employee instructors, House Arrest Community Service Program, CPR and First Aid for employees and assisted in the county-wide 911 system.
Nick was past Chairman of the Berrien County Police Services Council, past President of the Michigan Sheriffs Assoc., past Chairman of the State of Michigan LEIN Policy Council and lifetime member of F.O.P Lodge 96. He was a dedicated member of Napier Parkview Baptist Church and held many positions there.
Nick enjoyed family time and taking vacations with them, fishing, hunting, woodworking and especially golfing which he played until he was 90. He loved to be around family and couldn’t wait to be a grandpa, he enjoyed giving them rides on his mower where many times it would put them to sleep. He also taught them his woodworking skills and built many things with them. He would love to tell stories about his childhood and different challenges and successes while he was a policeman and Sheriff.
Nick is survived by his son Ken (Cyndi Kraklau) Jewell of Benton Harbor, Karen Ross of St. Joseph, grandchildren Steven Ross of Bowling Green, KY, Katie Ross of St. Joseph, Nick Jewell of Watervliet, Jessi Jewell of Benton Harbor and their mother Myra Jewell of Benton Harbor. Sisters Shirley Wesner of Benton Harbor, Lorraine (Butch) Peppel of Eau Claire, sisters-in-law Janice Jewell of Stevensville, Barbara (Warren) Tyler of Coloma, many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
Nick was preceded in death by his wife Arlice, son-in-law Scott Ross, brothers Burton (Virginia) Jewell, Gerald (Elsie) Jewell, Donald Jewell, Leonard Jewell, sister Maxine (Vern) Amundson and brother-in-law Fred Wesner.
Ken, Karen and their families again wish to thank the staff at Woodland Terrace in Coloma for caring for Nick and Arlice. They loved being there and the staff loved them as well.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 269-556-9450.
A celebration of life service will be held be at 10:00 on Saturday May 21 at Napier Parkview Baptist Church, 245 W. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor with Rev. Dan Golladay officiating. Burial will follow at Shanghai Cemetery in Pipestone Township. Friends may visit with the family from 3-7 on Friday May 20 at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph.
Memorial contributions may be made to Napier Parkview Baptist Church or Woodland Terrace of Coloma.
Nick was born on June 23, 1929 in Sodus to Burton and Eva Jewell. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School class of 1949 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953 in the Korean War. On June 4, 1955 he married the love of his life Arlice Wagner and they were happily married for 66 years until her passing just 6 weeks ago on April 1, 2022. Nick received an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Lake Michigan College and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Nick was hired at the Berrien County Sheriff’s Dept. in Nov. 1955 and was promoted to Sergeant in 1959 . He was elected as Sheriff in 1968 and was re-elected 5 times before retiring in 1991. Programs implemented during his time as Sheriff include: Jail ministry through Forgotten Man Ministries, SWAT Team, Hazardous Materials Response Team, GED program for inmates, Bomb Team, Dept. Water Rescue Team, Jail training certification by certified employee instructors, House Arrest Community Service Program, CPR and First Aid for employees and assisted in the county-wide 911 system.
Nick was past Chairman of the Berrien County Police Services Council, past President of the Michigan Sheriffs Assoc., past Chairman of the State of Michigan LEIN Policy Council and lifetime member of F.O.P Lodge 96. He was a dedicated member of Napier Parkview Baptist Church and held many positions there.
Nick enjoyed family time and taking vacations with them, fishing, hunting, woodworking and especially golfing which he played until he was 90. He loved to be around family and couldn’t wait to be a grandpa, he enjoyed giving them rides on his mower where many times it would put them to sleep. He also taught them his woodworking skills and built many things with them. He would love to tell stories about his childhood and different challenges and successes while he was a policeman and Sheriff.
Nick is survived by his son Ken (Cyndi Kraklau) Jewell of Benton Harbor, Karen Ross of St. Joseph, grandchildren Steven Ross of Bowling Green, KY, Katie Ross of St. Joseph, Nick Jewell of Watervliet, Jessi Jewell of Benton Harbor and their mother Myra Jewell of Benton Harbor. Sisters Shirley Wesner of Benton Harbor, Lorraine (Butch) Peppel of Eau Claire, sisters-in-law Janice Jewell of Stevensville, Barbara (Warren) Tyler of Coloma, many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
Nick was preceded in death by his wife Arlice, son-in-law Scott Ross, brothers Burton (Virginia) Jewell, Gerald (Elsie) Jewell, Donald Jewell, Leonard Jewell, sister Maxine (Vern) Amundson and brother-in-law Fred Wesner.
Ken, Karen and their families again wish to thank the staff at Woodland Terrace in Coloma for caring for Nick and Arlice. They loved being there and the staff loved them as well.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 269-556-9450.
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