Jewel Eckstrom

Jewel Helton Eckstrom November 14, 1932 – October 29, 2025

Jewel Helton Eckstrom, of Naples, Florida, formerly Louisville, Kentucky and Lake Odessa, Michigan, died peacefully on October 29, 2025. Born in Louisville, she carried a lifelong love of learning and community.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Louisville in 1953. In 1955, she married William (Bill) Eckstrom. Jewel loved teaching children for 20 years. She and Bill established the William and Jewel Eckstrom Future Teacher Scholarship in 1987 to encourage outstanding, young people to become classroom teachers.

A devoted community leader, Jewel was active in Delta Kappa Gamma, P.E.O., and the Chi Omega Alumni Association. She served as a charter member of the Lake Odessa Area Historical Society and held leadership roles in the Lake Odessa Women's Club, Lake Odessa Study Club, Pennock Hospital Guild #20 and was a member of the Woodland Study Club. She and Bill have been members of the Central United Methodist Church for 69 years.

Jewel retired from teaching in 1991. She and Bill split time between Michigan and Naples until making Naples their permanent home. She enjoyed reading, genealogy, golf, watercolor painting, the arts, and travel.

She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Eckstrom; four children-Jeff Eckstrom (Becky), Lisa Vanderlinden (Ron), Suzanne Dailey (Dan), and Tom Eckstrom (Lynda)-seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Jewel's warmth and dedication will be deeply missed.