Jewel P. Winters, 100, of Galesburg, IL, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026 surrounded by her loving family at her home.
She was born June 4, 1926 in Little York, IL, to George W.C. Poulson and Minnie Ellen Brown Poulson. She was the 2nd of 15 children.
At the age of 14, she began working outside of the family home attending to another family’s children. In 1941 she began living and attended to the children of Dr.& Mrs. Malstrom in Galesburg, IL. After Leo W Winters returned from serving in WW II, they were married November 6, 1945, at Immaculate Conception Church in Monmouth, IL.
They made their home at a rural farm left to Leo by his grandfather near Alexis, IL. They had 6 children, 2 of which died in infancy. Jewel was a mother and homemaker for several years working briefly at form fit in Monmouth. In 1959 they moved to Monmouth, Il. Jewel began to work for Kroger in Monmouth after her youngest son Paul began school. She continued to work at Kroger for 25 years, finishing the last few years at Kroger in Galesburg, IL.
After retiring from Kroger Jewel accomplished a dream of hers by attending Carl Sandburg and obtaining her GED. Jewel enjoyed taking her growing children fishing. Sometimes after the kids had all gone to school, she and her pal Rosie Bailey would head to Gladstone to fish.
She enjoyed collecting spoons and salt and pepper shakers she had received as gifts and had collected during their travels. She was a member of the Alter and Rosary Society and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She loved playing slot machines. She also enjoyed watching any and all sports her son Paul played and continued to watch as she had Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
She was an avid St louis Cardinal fan. (Go Yadi !!).
She is survived by her daughter, Mary Beth (Steve) Goodwin of Cameron, IL; her sons, Robert (Joyce) Winters of Hendersonville, TN and Paul (Debbie) Winters of Stronghurst, IL. Her Grandchildren, Walter Winters, Tera Marshal, Mirranda Ballard, Geordan (Sarah) Winters, Adam Bennett, Erika (JJ) Sloan, Kate Walker, Ellen (Robert) Fennel, Chris (Jessie) Winters, Travis Winters and Ariella (Dylan) Martinez. Her Great Grandchildren, Mary Angermayor, Matthew Winters, Nathan Winters, Marissa Brooks, Catlin Marshal, Triniti Pence, Austin Ballard, Kamden Winters, Kendall Winters, Manny Valdez, Mariah Valdez, Shayla Bennett, Tristan Winters, Hannah (Austin) Russell, Zoe Walker, Emma Fennel, Addison Walker, Kevin Fennel, Landon Winters, Lauren Winters, Liam Winters, Gracey Winters, Kensley Winters, Weston Winters, Wrenley Martinez. Her Great Great Grandchildren, Emma Angermayor, Ranee Angermayor, Julian Simmons, Ava Simmons, Aubree Simmons. Paisley Atwell, Abel Atwell, Gannon Russell, Riley Russell and Raelynn Russell, Lakely Moore, Reese Moore. Also surviving are her sisters, Rebecca Harring, Joy Wetzel, June Friend and Alice Poulson.
Jewel was preceded in death by her Husband of 65 years, Leo Winters. Her sons, John David, William and Terry. Her grandsons, Jason Winters and Bobby Winters, and Great Great Granddaughter, Lacey Russell. Her parents, George and Ellen Poulson. Her siblings, Minnie Jones, Irene Brown, Anna Thomas, George (Sonny) Poulson, Dorothy Bohlander, Rose Millard, Phil Poulson, David Poulson, Majorie Howard and Sharon Ginther.
We want to thank everyone for their prayers for the last couple weeks. Also thank the staff and nurses at Compassus Hospice and Father Stirniman of Galesburg Catholic Parishes.
A Gathering of Family & friends will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 20, 2026 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Cremation rites will be accorded after the visitation. A private family interment of ashes will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Monmouth, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL, is in charge of the arrangements. For more information or to leave and online condolence, please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com.
