Marcella Steingruber Fewell was born on February 9, 1927 to Otto and Gertrude Steingruber in Aurora, IN. After a few years, they settled in Friendship, IN until Marcella finished high school at Cross Plains High School in 1945. After high school, Marcella began working as a payroll clerk at Jefferson Proving Ground located in Madison, IN. There she met the niece of Lee Yunker who owned/operated Pearl Packing Company in Madison. A short time later, Lee hired Marcella where she working her way up from payroll clerk to executive secretary to Mr. Yunker as well as Office Manager, Treasurer and Director. Although Pearl Packing Co. closed on December 31, 1972, Marcella (after moving to Florida in 1971) continued to travel back to Madison until the final closing in December 1976, completing the necessary paperwork for the closing.
While at Pearl Packing Co., Marcella met Dale K. Fewell and they were married on May 15, 1948. In 1955 the Fewell’s purchased the service station at the corner of Clifty Dr & Michigan Rd in Madison and operated the Fewell’s Service Station until moving to Florida in 1971. In 1966, they purchased the Englewood Motel which was located next to the service station. Marcella was now the bookkeeper for the service station and motel as well as working at Pearl Packing during the day and night clerk at the motel, all while maintaining the Fewell household.
On March 30, 1958, Dale and Marcella were blessed with twin boys, Ronald and Donald Fewell. Another blessing arrived when their daughter, Vicki Fewell was born on August 14, 1961. The Fewells moved to Fort Myers, FL in May 1971 where they operated the Texaco Station located at the corner of SR31 & Sr80 and later the Union 76 on Palm Beach Blvd. They retired in 1983, but Marcella was not one to sit around and be retired. She later worked for IHN and The Accounting Group 1988 until she finally retired in 2007 at the age of 80.
Marcella was an avid card player with Euchre and Skipbo being her games of choice. She also enjoyed puzzles and watching Hallmark Channel Movies. But there was nothing she enjoyed more than spending time with her children. The Fewell’s raised three children who all ended up with careers in law enforcement at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Tragically, they lost Ronnie in the line of duty on March 16, 1983 and Donnie was diagnosed with cancer in February 1983. Marcella was devastated at the loss of Ronnie, but said Ronnie was in God’s hands and she focused all her attention on Donnnie’s recovery. Then in April 2000, she lost her husband of 52 years.
On September 28. 2022, Marcella suffered another devastating loss. Hurricane Ian destroyed all of her belongings and Marcella made the choice to move back to Madison, IN to live with her daughter. Marcella passed away on February 11, 2023 after spending time with Donnie, Vicki and several friends.
Marcella lived a full life and although she will be missed dearly, she is back with Dale and Ronnie and can watch over those who remain.
Marcella is survived by Donald Fewell (Melanie) of Alva, FL, VIcki Fewell of Madison, IN and her granddaughter Samantha Fewell-Nunez (Angel) of Bulverde, TX. Preceding her in death are her parents Otto and Gertrude Steingruber, sister Marjorie Steingruber, son Ronald Fewell and husband Dale Fewell.
A visitation for Marcella will be held Monday, February 20, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park, 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, FL 33913. A funeral service will occur Monday, February 20, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, FL 33913. A committal service will occur Monday, February 20, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM, 12777 State Road 82, Fort Myers, FL 33913.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leememorialparkfuneralhome.com for the Fewell family.
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