11/30/1984 – 12/6/2022
Hometown: Lawrence; place of death: Keokuk, Iowa
Justin Lawrence Newell, 38, from Lawrence, KS passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday December 6th, 2022 in Keokuk, Iowa.
Justin was born on November 30, 1984 in Lawrence, KS, the son of Ken Lawrence Marlon Newell and Karen Nadine Ridinger. He grew up in Lawrence often playing outside with his brother Brian, building forts and fishing at Dad Perry Park and other wooded areas in West Lawrence. He graduated from Lawrence High School with the Class of 2003. Justin had been employed as a Chef at La Familia Restaurant, Pizza Shuttle, and Alvamar Country Club in Lawrence, KS. His first job was at Hy-Vee and he really loved working there.
Justin was a very talented artist. He created unique faces out of recycled objects and also enjoyed woodworking. His creative mind was always looking for new things to invent. Justin enjoyed cooking for his family and friends and creating different kinds of dishes for them to enjoy. He liked to fish, play Monopoly and cards, was a movie buff, loved all kinds of music and loved animals, especially his dog, “Duke” and his cat “Jinx”.
Justin cared about and spent a lot of his time with his nieces and nephews. He spent much of his time in his 20s at his oldest sister’s home, celebrating his first niece’s and first nephew ‘s birthdays and other events, play wrestling, building them bunk beds and a tree house, and more. He spent most of his life in Lawrence before moving to Muscatine in 2018. The last four years he spent more time living with, traveling, and adventuring out with his mom and his other sisters and their children. He would have gone just about anywhere with his mom and his siblings.
Justin’s final written words included that he loved all of his family.
Justin is survived by his mother, Karen See of Keokuk, his sisters, Sherri Guthrie (Aron) of Lawrence, KS and Melissa Beavens of Muscatine, IA, brother, Brian Watson (Charlene) of Lawrence, KS and sisters, Bobbi Jo Garza of Wapello, IA and Bambi See of Muscatine, and his siblings half brothers that he considered brothers too including Edward, “Eddy” Watson. Other survivors include numerous nieces and nephews, Desiree Bennett, AJ Bennett, Isabella Kessler, Kylan Guthrie, Andrew Beavins, Raymond Beavins, Gabriella Beavins, and Arianna, Golrian Watson, Alejandro, Josie, Belle, Sylena, Kirsten, Bailee, Lexi, Braydon, Aiden, Cerina, and Cydney, and Tim. He is also survived by several cousins and by his grandfather, Loren ‘Sonny” Wheeler of Montpelier, IA.
Justin was preceded in death by his two grandmothers, Clara Wheeler and June Utako Newell.
A Celebration of Life with music was Justin’s wishes. Two celebrations will be held.
In Iowa on March 17th, 2023 at the American Legion in Muscatine, Iowa.
In Lawrence on April 15th, 2023 at the Overlook Park at Clinton Lake with music and stories from 2-4 p.m. Arrangements for dinner and video following are still being made. Anyone wanting to help with the planning of the celebration in Lawrence, please contact Justin’s sister, Sherri.
The family has asked that memorial contributions may be made by his name to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 or the Knasas Suicide Prevention programs.
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