Edwin Drewel

Edwin Drewel, 91, a longtime resident of Jefferson City, transitioned from this life on Thursday, June 25, 2020, to his eternal home in Heaven, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on November 5, 1928, in Owensville, the son of the late Paul and Eva (Lorts) Drewel. He was a 1948 graduate of Belle High School. After graduation he went to work for Harbison/Walker Refractories. In 1951 he joined the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in Germany until his release from service in December of 1952. In 1956 he married Janeice Ridenhour and one son, Martin (Marty), was born of that union. Edwin married Carol Cox Jones in 1963. She had two sons from a previous marriage and together they raised their sons, aged 5, 6, and 7, as their own. Edwin was employed as a buyer at Gibson Discount stores in Jefferson City and Columbia as well as Marshalltown, Iowa and Decatur, Illinois before accepting the position of buyer/manager for House of Bargains in Jefferson City. In 1988 he left retail and went to work for the Department of Corrections until his retirement in 1994. He and Carol brought ballroom dancing to the Capital City in 1992 when they began teaching classes at the YMCA. They also taught at the Capital Ritz Ballroom. They founded the "Let's Dance" club and spun the music for dances at the Ritz for many years. Edwin was a faithful member of Cornerstone Baptist Church. He was a master of grill, his BBQ was always a hit. He loved to play golf and his tropical fish aquariums. His family and friends will greatly miss his presence in their lives. He is survived by his wife of 56 years: Carol Drewel; sons: Phillip Jones (Donna), Michael Jones (Pat) and Marty Drewel (Debi); grandchildren: Crista Beckhaus (Kurt), Jared Jones (Ashley), Mindy Phillips (Vernon), Brett Jones (Becky), Whitney Jones, Joel Baker (Alyssa), Cory Baker (Amanda), Ashley Smith (Ryan) and Ryan Drewel (Ashley); brother: Don Drewel (Joan); and many great-grandchildren. Edwin was preceded in death by his sisters: Wilma Purviance, Doris Woolley, Dorothy Gibson and Shirley Buemmei; one half-sister: Bea Hertweck; two half-brothers: Johnny Licklider and Rex Drewel; and two grandsons: Ryan Hertweck and Jeremy Jones. Family and friends will be received from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at Houser-Millard Funeral Directors. A Celebration of Life will follow at 1:00 p.m. with inurnment at Riverview Cemetery following services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Missouri Honor Flight. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109; (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.