Mason City – Duane L. Jewell, 87, Mason City, died Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at his home surrounded by loved ones.

A mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 A.M. Friday, June 2, 2017, at the Epiphany Parish St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 5th Street SE, Mason City, with Reverend Kenneth Gehling officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, with the honor guard provided by members of the Mason City Police Department. Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Thursday with a Scriptural Wake Service, and sharing of memories at 6:30 P.M. at the Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd Street, NE, Mason City.

Duane was born on a farm near Marble Rock, on June 25, 1929, the son of Oscar L. and Ettna (Howe) Jewell. Within a few months, they moved to Mason City.

Duane went through the Mason City Public School system and graduated from Mason City High School in 1947. Duane was one of the better athletes in Mason City history. He excelled in baseball, basketball, and football. Duane was 1st team all-state selection in basketball and baseball. He attended Drake University on a basketball and baseball scholarship from 1947 until 1949. He also played basketball for Mason City Junior College when they came in 2nd in the state tournament and Duane was on the all-tournament team. Duane also played independent basketball in the North Iowa area.

Duane played American Legion baseball when they were in 3 state tournaments, winning one title and 2nd place in another year. Duane was a shortstop, third base, and pitcher during his baseball years. Also for a number of summers Duane played semi-pro baseball in southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa, including the Mason City Legionnaires and Mason City Braves. He also was a member of the police department team that won state titles and individual awards. Duane was the third baseman and a pitcher on the Mason City High School baseball team that was the state champion in the spring of 1946. Duane excelled in three sports – football, basketball and baseball. In football, Duane was an outstanding quarterback and defensive back. In basketball, he was named First Team All-State his senior year as well as selected State Championship in 1946, and Duane was named to the All-Tournament Team as a third baseman.

Duane attended the American Legion Boy's State at Camp Dodge in Des Moines in the summer of 1946.

Duane married JoAnne Sherman at Epiphany Parish Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City, on September 23, 1950, and to this marriage they were blessed with four children, Sheryl, Alan, Susan, and Nancy.

In 1951, Duane joined the Mason City Police Department. His law enforcement service continued for 44 years, during this time he was a patrol officer, detective, deputy chief, captain, and chief. Duane retired as a captain on June 25, 1995. His career of law enforcement included graduating from the F.B.I. Academy in 1974. Duane received two degrees from NIACC, one in law enforcement and one in liberal arts..

Duane was a certified instructor at NIACC for 24 years. His classes were criminal investigation and patrol procedures. Both were accredited courses. Duane was a little league baseball coach for over 17 years. He was proud of the fact that many of his young men went on to careers in law enforcement, and many others who went on to become successful in other areas of endeavors. Also during his law enforcement career, he was a member of the Iowa's Governor Drug Taskforce, making many presentations to schools, churches and businesses.

He was a member of the Elks, National Police Association, Iowa Police Association, Iowa Chiefs Association, FBI Academy Associates, NIACC Alumni Association. Duane and JoAnne loved to play golf together entering many husband and wife couples tournaments. Duane also played in many senior golf tournaments being competitive. Duane had three holes in one, and together, Duane and JoAnne were very successful in many events.

When Duane's baseball career was over, he began to play organized fast pitch softball for a number of years. Duane was elected to the North Iowa Softball Hall of Fame in 2003. Duane played infield and outfield. One of the teams he was on went to the state tournament.

All in all, Duane was a member of the basketball, baseball, and fast pitch softball tournaments, winning two.

Duane was in the mall almost every day having conversation and good will with his many friends. Duane also liked to play bingo, especially with his friends at the senior center, and going to casinos.

Duane was a Red Cross blood donor giving over 10 gallons in his lifetime. He also used to paint houses, a trade he learned from his father.

Those left to cherish his memory are his four children, Sheryl (Brian) Lockwood, Mason City, Alan Jewell, Grafton, Susan (Ed) Wineinger, Mason City, and Nancy (Rick) Latham, Mason City; 11 grandchildren, Kelly, Cory, Nathan, Jordan, Dustin, Wesley, Jay, Gabriel , Ricky, Samantha, and Jason Sr; 15 great-grandchildren: Lance, Aaron, Kayla, Parker, Rhodes, Knox, Olivia, Pieper, James, Daelyn, Jason Jr, Kadance, Bradon, Carter, and Courtney; and a sister-in-law, Kay who lives in California; as well as many extended family members and friends.

Duane is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Frank and sister Naomi, and his wife of 42 years, JoAnne.