Jacob Webel

Jake was born on June 3, 1947 in Donnersdorf, Austria. His parents Jakob and Katarina and many of their children, including Jake, were navigating the aftermath of the war in Europe. The family was sponsored by a family member in the United States and immigrated to Medina, Ohio in 1951. Jake was raised in Ohio with his 11 brothers and sisters.

Jake graduated from the Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1973. After graduation, he spent a year of internship in Shiprock, NM where he fell in love with western Colorado. He then returned to Ohio State to complete a residency in Cardiology. Upon completion, Jake moved to Grand Junction, CO to begin a Cardiology practice at St. Mary’s Hospital. A few years later he founded Western Slope Cardiology with the help of his colleague and friend, Dr. Gary Snyder. Jake treated many patients from all over the Western Slope through his many years of practice. His passion and dedication for practicing medicine made him greatly respected by both his patients and the medical community. Jake retired from practice in 2012.

It was at St. Mary’s Hospital where Jake met his wife Mary, a registered nurse, and her two daughters, Rebecca, age 7 and Stephanie, age 5. Jake and Mary married at Redstone Castle on August 6, 1983.

Jake was a true lover of the outdoors. He was an avid hiker, golfer, and skier. He also enjoyed cultivating his yard as well as creating and maintaining bonsai trees. Jake was a dog lover and usually had a golden retriever or Newfoundland at his feet while working in the yard, hunting bonsai, or hiking his favorite trails. His quiet charm and dry wit always put a smile on the faces of his family and friends.

Jake was preceded in death by his wife of 29 years, Mary Webel; his parents, Jakob and Katharina Webel; his sisters, Rosalia Whiting Wilde and Katharina Zimmer; and his sister-in-law, Grace (Karl) Webel. He is survived by his daughters, Rebecca (Joshua) Ward and Stephanie (Bradford) Keller, and four much loved grandchildren. Jake is also survived by his brothers: Reinhardt (Arlene) Webel, Karl Webel, Adolf (Linda) Webel, Robert (Marcia) Webel, Daniel (Nancy-Jean) Webel, and Richard (Connie) Webel; his sisters: Elizabeth (Albert) Yovichin, Theresa (Charles) Pavkov, Christina (Cedric) Messner; his brothers-in-law, Dale (Rosalia) Wilde and Larry (Katharina) Zimmer; and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held for Dr. Webel on Saturday, June 9th from 5:00-7:00pm at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 10th at 1:00pm at the American Lutheran Church 631 26 ½ Road. Gifts to honor Jake can be made to Hope West Hospice Care in his name.