Batesville Herald Tribune, Batesville, Indiana

Obituaries

December 27, 2012

Jewell Preston Kelch, 84

The Herald-Tribune

— Jewell Preston Kelch, 84, died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, at his home in Spades.

The son of Gerett and Opal (Fulmer) Alley was born Oct. 28, 1928. His father died when he was very young, and he was raised by his mother and stepfather, Opal and Fredrick Kelch.

Jewell graduated from Sunman High School in 1947 and then went into the Seabees in the U.S. Navy, serving in Europe during the Korean conflict.

Jewell retired from Hill-Rom in 1993 and worked at Hillenbrand Industries previously.

On April 14, 1957, he married the former Ruby Roberts in Lawrenceburg.

Jewell was a member of Batesville United Methodist Church and Prell-Bland American Legion Post 271 and Free and Accepted Masonic Lodge 668, Batesville. He also served as past master of the Sunman lodge.

Jewell is survived by his wife; daughter Brenda Burke and husband Rodney Burke, Cincinnati; two grandchildren: Martin Burke and Darlene Gehring; and two great-grandchildren: Savanna and Jaxon Gehring.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother Owen Alley, who died as an infant.

Visitation is Thursday, Dec. 27, from 4-7 p.m. followed by Masonic services at 7 p.m. and the funeral at 7:30 p.m. at Meyers Funeral Home. Military funeral rites will immediately follow.

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Obituaries