Pastor Jewell A. Hager, age 73, of Elkhart, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014. Jewell was born Nov. 19, 1941 in Calhoun, MO to the late Price and Lola Christine (Ash) Hager. He graduated from Calhoun High School, and later from the Kansas City Police Academy. On April 8, 1960, he married Dorothy Irene Fields. After serving as a Police Officer, he and Dorothy moved to Elkhart where Jewell worked for several years in the RV manufacturing industry, then retired from the Dairy Farmers of America in Goshen, IN. In 2002, he began serving as the Pastor at the First General Baptist Church of Michigan City, and was presently serving as the Pastor at the First General Baptist Church of Osceola.
Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Dorothy Hager of Elkhart, their children Natalie Hager of Goshen, Jewel Hager and Nick (Michael) Hager, both of Elkhart. Also surviving are his grandchildren; Tyler, Jack, Nick, and Benjamin Hager, all of Goshen, Brian Hicks of Denver, CO, and Taylor Jewell and Paige Hager, both of Elkhart. Jewell is also survived by his siblings; Helen Finley of LaMonte, MO, Ola Veach and Lola Robbins, both of Windsor, MO, Darlene Baskins of Baldwin, KS, and Grace LaFavor of Dallas, TX. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cindy Hager in 1983, and his siblings Howard Hager, Hattie Hamilton, and Elsa Rowles.
Visitation will be held from 2-6 pm Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. Funeral Services will be held at 10 am Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 at the First General Baptist Church of Osceola, 11101 McKinley Highway, Osceola, IN, 46561. Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.
Jewell enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. In his younger days, he played 25 years in Elkhart fast pitch softball leagues. He loved St. Louis Cardinals baseball as well. His love for the Lord also led him to many hours reading and studying the Bible.
In his memory, donations may be made to the First General Baptist Church of Osceola.