E. Harvey Jewell

E. Harvey Jewell, 83, of Sioux Falls, passed away December 21, 2025, at the VA Hospice Cottage.

Dr. E. Harvey Jewell was born on October 24, 1942, in Cuba, New York, to Clarence and Erma (Sears) Jewell. From an early age, Harvey demonstrated a deep curiosity in the musical arts—qualities that would guide his life’s work and relationships. He graduated from Belfast High School in 1960 and went on to attend Houghton College in New York, where he earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1964.

Harvey was warily drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam Era, where he served his country as a member of the 79th Army Band, stationed in the Panama Canal Zone from 1965 to 1967. While redirecting his intended musical career trajectory, his military service forged some of his most loyal friendships and demonstrated his commitment to duty and responsibility for a nation of freedom and opportunity—values he carried forward throughout his life.

After his honorable discharge, Harvey pursued his passion for music and education, beginning his conducting career at Cornell College in Ithaca, New York. In the summer of 1968, while attending a Music Educators Camp at Oberlin College in Ohio, he met fellow music educator Mary Elizabeth Johnson. United by a shared love of music, learning, and adventure, they were married on December 28, 1968, in Omaha, Nebraska, beginning nearly 57 years of partnership. Together, they raised two children, Melody (David) and Eric (Aubrey), instilling in them the values of grit, tolerance, meritocracy, and responsibility.

Harvey’s life was marked by a pioneering spirit and bold ambition, with a career that spanned the disciplines of music, education, and business. He and Mary attended the University of Washington in Seattle, where Harvey earned his Doctorate in Music in 1977. He served as conductor of the Great Falls Symphony Orchestra in Montana and held teaching positions at the University of Texas–Dallas and the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, and later served as Dean of Students at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago.

While in Chicago, Harvey received a scholarship to pursue an MBA at the University of Chicago, which he completed in 1988. He went on to teach business administration at Western Illinois University before accepting a position at Augustana College in Sioux Falls in 1990. In 1992, Harvey and Mary ventured into small business ownership together, operating a restaurant, campground, and convenience store at Lake Poinsett until 1999—an endeavor that exemplified Harvey’s entrepreneurial spirit and diligent work ethic.

Music remained the constant thread throughout Harvey’s life, and he returned fully to the musical world as conductor of the Sioux Empire Philharmonia Youth Orchestra, a member of the Sioux Emperians Barbershop Chorus, and later as a proud lifetime member of the American Legion Singing Legionnaires Chorus. He played violin in the Augustana Community Orchestra and the SNO Orchestra alongside Mary and Melody, sharing music with residents of senior living communities across the region. Harvey found deep joy in teaching and mentoring countless private students on violin, piano, oboe, and cello, generously sharing his passion and love of classical music. He was especially proud that several of his students were accepted to play in numerous South Dakota All-State Orchestras.

Harvey and Mary cherished their freedom to travel and explore together. Their most recent journey, in June 2025, took them to Chicago to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform Verdi’s Requiem—a fitting reflection of a life steeped in music and shared adventures.

Harvey is survived by his beloved wife, Mary; daughter Melody and her husband, David; son Eric and his wife, Aubrey; three grandchildren, Braden, Charlotte, and Eliza; his sister, Gloria; and many other relatives and dear friends whose lives he touched through his passion for music, education, leadership, and friendship.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Erma Jewell, and his brothers, Jay Ell and Donnie.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, with services to follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment at Oramel Community Cemetery in Oramel, New York, will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Harvey’s name to the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra or the American Legion Singing Legionnaires.

A Visitation will be held 1 PM, Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Heritage Funeral Home with a Celebration of Life at 2 PM with Military Honors.