Obituary of Luther F. Colwell

COLWELL, LUTHER F. "JAKE" Age 88 of Horseheads, NY passed away on Sunday March 15, 2020 . Jake was born July 20,1931 in Elmira, NY the son of the late Homer and Esther Bechtel Colwell. He was a graduate of Horseheads High School. Jake was a Korean War Veteran serving his country with The U.S. Army. Upon his discharge from military service, Jake received his Associates Degree in Business Administration from Alfred University. He married his wife DeVella "Dev" Harig Colwell, on December 22, 1954 and they celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary on December 22, 2019. Jake was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Elmira where he served the church faithfully . He was a member of The Village of Horseheads Fire Department where he served as an Assistant Chief. Jake became a member of Town and Country Fire Department where he served as Fire Chief for many years and was a 70 year member and honored as a life-time member having a Fire Truck named after him. He was a life-time member of The Old Oak Lodge # 364 F&AM In Horseheads , The Horseheads Historical Society , and a charter member of The Horseheads Kiwanis Club. Jake retired as The Code Enforcement Officer for The Town of Horseheads. In addition to his parents, Jake is pre-deceased by his brothers Richard, Howard "Duke", and Myron "Mike" Colwell, along with his dogs Sammie, T.W., and Buster. Jake loved his family and friends and treasured the time he spent with them. Jake is survived by his loving and devoted wife DeVella "Dev" Colwell ; daughter and son-in-law: Richelle "Shelly" and Rick Bacmanski of Horseheads, NY ; son and daughter-in-law: R. Ben and Kim Colwell of New Port Richey, Florida ; granddaughter: Kathryn E. Colwell Yock and Joe Yock and great grandson Bracken Ben Yock all of Huntersville, NC ; several nieces, nephews , cousins, and a host of caring friends. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Monday July 20, 2020 at 11 AM at Trinity Episcopal Church Main Street and Church Street in Elmira, NY celebrated by The Rev. Wanda Copeland, Rev. Mary Curns, and Rev. Matthew Jones . Town and Country Fire Department will honor Jake following the Mass. Jake will be laid to rest in Maple Grove Cemetery where Full Military Honors will be accorded to him. The Family would gratefully appreciate Memorials in Jake's name to The Town and Country Fire Department 130 Gardner Road Horseheads, NY 14845. Arrangements are entrusted to the LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 318 WEST BROAD STREET HORSEHEADS, NY. Words of Condolence and Memories may be shared at www.lynchsfuneralhome.com . Dear all, We prayerfully invite you to join with the family in celebrating the life of Luther "Jake" Colwell. Our ability to do this together safely and reverently will greatly depend on each of you. Here's what you need to know. 1. Seating will be limited per Covid-19 guidelines. Thus, not everyone may be able to attend in person. We invite those of you, who are able, to join the service on Zoom or via the Trinity Elmira Facebook page. Zoom information can be requested by emailing info @trinitychurchelmira org. 2. You will be screened before entry re: health, exposure to COVID-19 and contact information. Entry will be limited to the North Main Street door and the ramp door on Church Street for those differently abled. 3. YOU MUST WEAR AN ACCEPTABLE FACE COVERING (e.g. cloth [homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana], surgical masks) PROPERLY (covering nose and mouth) AT ALL TIMES within the church. If you cannot wear your face covering properly, we will have you leave. 4. Hand sanitizer stations will be present as you enter the church. Please use. 5. Seating is limited to pews that have not been cordoned or taped off to support physical distancing and capacity limits. 6' DISTANCE MUST BE MAINTAINED BETWEEN ALL PERSONS NOT IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD AT ALL TIMES. 6. THERE WILL BE NO SINGING BY IN-PERSON ATTENDEES. 7. You cannot physically 'pass the peace'. Feel free to nod, wave, bow or otherwise greet your fellow attendees from your pew. 8. If you come forward for communion (bread only), sanitize your hands at stations provided as you come forward and maintain at least 6' distancing (6' markings on carpet). After receiving your wafer, please return to your pew and momentarily loosen your face covering to consume the wafer. 9. There will be no entrance or retiring procession. The family will exit the church from the side (cloister) door. 10. Attendees should exit the church via the door entered maintaining 6' distancing policy. 11. Hand sanitizer will be available as you leave. 12. It is supposed to be very hot and humid Monday and Trinity does not have air-conditioning. Please consider wearing comfortable, cool clothing. Thank you for your patience and generosity of spirit toward each other during this time. The respectful ways we treat each other speaks directly of our faith and the love with which we hold each other and Jake.