Marvin Jewell Jr

Dr. Marvin Jewell Jr. had an infectious spirit and a zest for life that could be felt by everyone he interacted with. He was a lifelong learner who enjoyed passing his knowledge down to others, and he exemplified what it meant to follow faithfully after the Lord he loved so much. His greatest treasure was his family, and his genuine heart for serving others left an impact on everyone around him. Deeply loved, Marvin will be forever missed.

The early 1930s are remembered as some of the most difficult years for those living in the United States. The Great Depression was in full swing following the historic stock market crash just a few years before, casting a shadow over the country. During these dark years, however, there was a ray of light in the lives of Marvin and Alice (Avery) Jewell of Horton Bay, Michigan, as they looked forward to the arrival of their firstborn child. On August 10 of 1932, they brought their son, Marvin Roy Jr., into the world.

Throughout his childhood, Marvin was a typical boy of his generation in many ways. In his younger years, he went by Junior. While living in his birthplace of Horton Bay, Marvin would often play with Native American children in the area and even learned some of the Chippewa language. His father’s work as a pastor in the Evangelical United Brethren Church brought the Jewell family to various places in the state. They settled in Ann Arbor in 1936, and Marvin became a big brother to Doug. The boys were typical brothers, and their after-dinner wrestling matches could sometimes get pretty intense. Growing up in the era of the Great Depression taught Marvin the value of hard work, generosity, and compassion, traits that would stick with him for the rest of his life.

The Jewells spent a few years living in Gladwin, then moved once again to Reed City, where Marvin attended high school. He excelled as an athlete, playing basketball and running hurdles in track, and he also played trumpet in band and the organ at his church. Marvin got involved in speech and debate through high school and into college. He began working part-time at a local funeral home in his high school years, a job that would teach him how to connect with people from all walks of life. With an interest in the world of medicine, Marvin went on to attend DePauw University.

There are few who can say that they met the love of their life at a young age. Marvin met Mary Jane Fahner at Albright Church Camp when he was only 12. The two were great friends and kept in touch through letters and occasional visits. Marvin and Mary Jane stayed connected through the years and spent one summer both working at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids. Upon graduating, Marvin and Mary Jane were united in marriage on June 11, 1954, in Pierson, Michigan. The newlyweds then moved to Ann Arbor so that Marvin could pursue his medical education.

Before long, Marvin’s family began to grow with the arrival of their daughter, Lynn. Balancing his role as a father with his schooling, Marvin continued his medical education at Wayne State University and Children’s Hospital of Michigan. He became a pediatric anesthesiologist, all while he and Mary Jane welcomed three more children, Cindi, Dave, and Donna, into their hearts and home. Marvin was an amazing, committed father, devoted to raising his children and providing a stable home. Just as he was filled with passion, he encouraged them to pursue their passions and was always ready with a word of advice.

The Jewell family lived in Detroit early on, then spent many years living on peaceful Sylvan Lake in Waterford. Their lake home was the backdrop for countless gatherings with family and friends. In 1972, the family bought a scenic cottage on Lake Huron in Stokes Bay, Ontario, which became one of Marvin's favorite places. They also enjoyed many camping trips including one around Lake Superior and vacations to Florida and other places over the years. Marvin brought his family up as active members of Magnolia Church, instilling the deep importance of faith.

To Marvin, his career in the medical field was so much more than just a job. He poured his all into his young patients, and he loved interacting with the children and families he cared for at their level. As such, he was a pioneer in Family Centered Care. Marvin was a teacher above all else and was always on the lookout for opportunities to pass down his knowledge. In 1979, he was honored to take the position as Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, serving until his retirement in 1996. After his retirement, Marvin and Mary Jane built a log home on Lake Charlevoix. He got very involved in his church home in Horton Bay and helped start a jail ministry. Over the years, Marvin also volunteered with several charitable organizations, including World Medical Relief, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, and Christian Medical and Dental Associations, including serving as its US and then international president. Together he and Mary Jane traveled on missions, offering medical care for others all over the world, and they brought US continuing education credits to medical missionaries in Africa and Southeast Asia for many years.

Later in life, Marvin was thrilled to become a grandfather to his beloved grandchildren, Becca, Annika, Elena, Ilsa, Patricia, and Anya. He loved his grandkids, and Marvin’s family eventually grew to include three great-grandchildren: Ben, Maddie, and Jackson. He considered himself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

Never one to sit still for long, Marvin kept busy in his free time. One of his greatest passions was sailing, and he could often be found out on the water. Marvin was an avid reader, and he liked manning the grill and was known for everything from turkey for the holidays to “gizzard soup.” He had a love for photography, and he enjoyed developing and using his own photos on the family Christmas cards. Marvin was a natural leader, and he was a people person. No one was a stranger for long.

When reflecting on the life of Dr. Marvin Jewell Jr., it is easy to see both his unwavering strength and his love for his family. He could talk to everyone, and his witty humor could put a smile on anyone’s face. A dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Marvin was a provider and caretaker for all who depended on him. His kind heart and ambitious determination were easy to admire, and he truly understood the secret to a life well lived. Although he is already so greatly missed, Marvin leaves behind a priceless legacy of service that his loved ones will be proud to carry forward.

Dr. Marvin Jewell of Grand Rapids, Michigan, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, at Blodgett Hospital in East Grand Rapids. As was his generous wish, Marvin donated his body to the University of Michigan Medical School for the advancement of medical science. The service will be Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 11 AM at Forest Hills Bible Chapel. Please make donations to Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA) or the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM)

Obituary:

Dr. Marvin Roy Jewell, Jr.

Dr. Marvin Jewell of Grand Rapids, Michigan, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, at Blodgett Hospital in East Grand Rapids. Marvin was a devoted member of national and international medical and Christian communities, dedicating his life and career to helping others.

He is survived by his spouse of 71 years Mary Jane (Fahner) Jewell, children Lynn (Richard), Cindi (Rex), Dave (Heather) and Donna (Mike); grandchildren Becca (Ray), Annika (Jay), Elena (Bayer), Ilsa (Michael), Patricia and Anya; and great grandchildren Ben, Maddie and Jackson. He was preceded in death by his parents Marvin and Alice (Avery) and brother Douglas Jewell.

Marvin was born in 1932 and graduated from Reed City High School in 1950. In 1954 he married his childhood sweetheart Mary Jane Fahner from Howard City and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts pre-med from DePauw University. He went on to complete medical school at the University of Michigan in 1958. He did his Anesthesiology Residency at Wayne State University in the early 1960s, and became a Fellow in Pediatric Anesthesiology at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in 1963. He continued to practice medicine at Children’s Hospital of Michigan for the remainder of his career, serving as Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology from 1979 until his retirement in 1996. He was known for being ahead of his time by interacting with the children he cared for at their level and involving their family, he began this in the 1970s; and he educated the next generations of pediatric anesthesiologists about this care, currently known as Family Centered Care.

Over many decades Marvin was involved in charitable organizations, including Board Membership in World Medical Relief and the Detroit Rescue Mission where he was Chair of the Board and ran a weekly clinic for people experiencing homelessness and people with substance or alcohol use disorders. He was a member and officer of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations USA, serving as its national president in 1976 and became increasingly involved in the International Christian Medical and Dental Association, where he served as an executive committee member and president. Marvin and Mary Jane worked with the organization’s educational section bringing opportunities for medical missionaries to earn US based continuing education credits in Africa and Asia from 1978 onward.

Marvin had a passion for sailing and boating, and he shared that passion with many others both at home on Sylvan Lake and at the family cottage at Stokes Bay, Ontario. Music was a significant part of his life, playing cello and piano, and he was an avid photographer, documenting his many travels with Mary Jane as well as family life and professional events. He nurtured and encouraged the intellectual, personal and spiritual growth of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

As was his generous wish, Marvin donated his body to the University of Michigan Medical School for the advancement of medical science. Services will be held at Forest Hills Bible Chapel on Thursday, November 20th at 11:00 am, visitation beforehand from 9:30 am to 10:45 am with luncheon to follow the service. (Forest Hills Bible Chapel 4637 Ada Dr. SE, Ada, MI 49301). To celebrate and continue Marvin’s life and legacy, donations may be made to Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA) or to the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM). Donations to CMDA in memory of Marvin R. Jewell will be directed to the Education fund, supporting the medical training conferences for overseas missionaries, online at CMDA.org/give or mail to CMDA, P.O. Box 7500, Bristol, TN 37621. Donations to DRMM: online at https://drmm.org/ or mail to DRMM,150 Stimson Street, Detroit, MI 48201.