Jim Clewell

Jim Clewell, 70, of St. Charles passed away Sunday, May 4, 2014 at his home surrounded by family who loved him. Funeral service will be held 1 p.m., Saturday, May 10 at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset with burial in the St. Charles Cemetery which will be at a later date. A visitation with family present will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 9 at Ochiltree’s. In lieu of monetary contributions we ask that you look into your heart to consider becoming an organ donor. Someone gave Jim the gift of life and he was blessed with an additional 19 years and 9 months (www.iowadonornetwork.org). Donations may also be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (www.arl-iowa.org). James Orlo Clewell was born in Newport News, Virginia on June 13, 1943 to Orlo E. and Gwendolyn (Ziegenhagen) Clewell. He graduated East High School in Des Moines in the class of 1961 and later married Arlene Grife on June 29, 1965. Jim spent a majority of his working career as salesman for various employers but most of his career was dedicated to S & C Automotive and Capital City Equipment both in Des Moines and retired from the latter on April 1, 2014. Even after an impressive career in construction equipment sales, Jim was most proud of his first job as a young man as a newspaper delivery boy responsible for 5 Des Moines Register routes which he delivered even in the snow, up to his waist, uphill both ways. He loved tractor pulling and was one of the founding members of Mid-America Pulling Association. He also was avid outdoors man who loved to fish, hunt deer and turkey and hunt for morel mushrooms. He especially loved travels to Texas in the winter where he would fish almost every day with Ed and his friends and his faithful companion, Dusty. Above all else, Jim was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved nothing more than time spent with his family and especially his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Arlene Clewell of St. Charles; son, Alan Clewell (fiancée, Ellen Daggett) of St. Charles; daughter, Lori (John) Weaver of New Virginia; sister, Beverly (Ron) Abbas of Ottumwa; brother, Rich Clewell of Davenport; four grandchildren, Brandon (Sarah) Weaver, Todd Clewell, Nicholas (Laura) Weaver and Luke Clewell; two great-grandchildren, Pytyn Weaver and Lucas Barrett-Clewell; other extended family and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.