Obituary of Jewel Connor

Jewel Welch was born on January 2, 1930 in Monroe, Michigan.   She was the daughter of Carl and Mossie (Wilson) Welch.  Jewel attended Monroe Public Schools graduating from high school with the Class of 1948.  

Jewel married Thomas J. Connor on December 20, 1952.  The Connors would celebrate the birth of four children:  Brenda, twins:  Judy and Janie; and son Timothy.   For many years, Jewel cared for the needs of her young children and husband as a homemaker.   She would work as a bookkeeper for Rinks, Bargain City from 1962-1968 and then as a Secretary with her husband Tom at the Connor Insurance Agency from 1977-1987.

Jewel was a devoted member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church for most of her life.   At MMBC she was active with the W.M.U. (Women’s Missionary Union), and loved to participate with Vacation Bible School.

Traveling and visiting her children and grandchildren were always highlights for Jewel.  Her greatest joy came from experiencing life with her best friend, her life-long love, and her biggest fan, her husband, Tom.

Beloved and devoted wife and mother, Jewel Connor, age 87, of Monroe, passed away peacefully at 3:30am on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at Wellsprings Lutheran Services.   She had been under the care of Promedica Monroe Hospice.   Her passing was preceded by her parents; an infant son:  Timmy; two brothers; and two sisters.

To cherish her memory, Jewel leaves her beloved husband of sixty-four years:  Tom of Monroe; three loving daughters:  Brenda (Terry) Delaney of Parker, Colorado, Judy (Dwight) Huffman of Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, and Janie (Ron) Fleischman of Decatur, Texas; four cherished grandchildren:  Amber, Ashley, Brandon, and Brittney; and three great-grandchildren. 

Friends may gather on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 from 2:00pm until 7:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185.   She will lie in state on Thursday, May 25, 2017 from 10:00am until a Celebration of Her Life at 11:00am at Monroe Missionary Baptist Church, 14260 South Dixie Highway.   Reverend Roy Southerland pastor of the church and Rev. Dwight Huffman, Jewels’ son-in-law and pastor of Bow Valley Baptist in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada will co-officiate.   Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle for burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Monroe Missionary Baptist Church.   Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.