Jacob Lewis
Jacob Lewis
Beacon. Jacob Parke Lewis, 38, of Beacon passed away unexpectedly on June 12, 2025. He was born October 11, 1986, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the son of Bill Lewis and Julie Howard. In high school Jake was a standout football player. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 2005. In 2008, he was united in marriage to Jessica Kelderman. Early on Jake worked for MCG in Oskaloosa. After several years there he went to work at Pella Corporation. After a few years there he decided that he needed more variety and fresh air in his work, so he went to work tending to hog confinement buildings and helping local farmers. Some of his best years on the farm were working with his father-in-law Peyton Kelderman at John Ryken’s farm. Jake loved being a dad and passing on his love of sports to his children coaching them in wrestling, football and T-ball. He loved the outdoors and looked forward to deer and pheasant hunting every year. Jake bled black and gold and was not to be bothered when the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Iowa Hawkeyes were playing. He had a knack for remembering movie lines and quotes, he was especially fond of Kevin Hart and Jim Carrey. He knew the lines so well he could watch the movie on mute and laugh at the appropriate times. His sense of humor was second to none and when coupled with his sense of adventure he was the life of every family get together.
His family includes his wife, Jessica Lewis of Belle Plaine; six children, Conner Kissner, Parker (Hayley) Lewis, Braxton Lewis, Kaidence Lewis, Joceslyn Lewis, and Gabriella Lewis all of Oskaloosa; a grandson, Beau Lewis; his parents, Bill (Shannon) Lewis and Julie (James) Howard all of Beacon; grandparents, Debra (Bob) Parton of Beacon and Debra Howard of Oskaloosa; his siblings, Makayla Lewis of Beacon, Blake (Mallory) Howard of Eddyville, Kirkland Howard of Beacon, Megan (Terry) Alger of Newton, Madi (Dylan) Alger of Knoxville, Alex (Justine) Stanhope of St. Clair, Michigan, Andrew Stanhope of Tracy, Adam Stanhope of Beacon, and Nicole Lewis of Oskaloosa; sister in law, Sylvia (Curtis) Lewis of Pawhuska, Oklahoma; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Jake was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bud and Mary Lewis, Howard Sterling, and Rick Howard; his in laws, Amy Kerby and Peyton Kelderman; a sister-in-law, Amber Lewis; his cousin, Tyler “Bubba” Howard; nephew, Emerett Howard; and a niece, Gianna Howard.
Visitation with the family present will be held Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 5-7 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa. Following visitation Jake will be cremated. A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel with Reverend Molly Goodrich officiating. Burial of the urn will be in the Coal Creek Cemetery. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Jake Lewis Memorial Fund and will be divided among his children.