Lemuel E. Hewlett Obituary (1928 - 2013)

\ Lemuel Edward 'Lemmie' Hewlett, 85, son of the late Thomas DeWitt Hewlett and Vera Crowley Hewlett, died Monday, November 18, 2013, surrounded by his family at his home in Madisonville. \ \ Mr. Hewlett, born August 23, 1928, in Hopkins County, was a member of one of the county's pioneer families and spent most of his life in Madisonville. He attended Madisonville High School, where he played football. A World War II Army veteran, he served in Occupied Japan. He was a proud life-time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He grew up in Madisonville's First United Methodist Church and later joined First Presbyterian Church. \ \ An electrician, Mr. Hewlett almost single-handedly wired Peabody Coal Company's dragline at the Paradise mine in Muhlenberg County, made famous in the John Prine song 'Paradise,' about the 'world's largest shovel.' But Mr. Hewlett was perhaps best known as the owner of Hewlett's Gulf and Standard service stations on Center Street in Madisonville. He also had been an electrician for Madisonville city and Kentucky state governments. \ \ Over the years, Mr. Hewlett, a fun-loving, generous and opinionated man, was active in Democratic politics. He was a Kentucky Colonel. \ \ In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca Lee Hewlett White, and his sister, Gladys Hewlett Kelley. \ \ Survivors include his wife of more than 62 years, Ann Bonney Hewlett; daughters, Jennifer Hewlett and Bonney Hewlett; granddaughters, LeeAnn Rickard and Kaylynn White; son-in-law, Noel White; great-grandchildren, Lucien and Abby; sister-in-law, Pat Bonney; brothers, Roger Hewlett and T.D. Hewlett Jr.; and several nieces and nephews. \ \ Graveside services were held Thursday, November 21, 2013, in Grapevine Cemetery in Madisonville. Memorial gifts are suggested to the Christian Food Bank of Hopkins County, Salvation Army or Baptist Health Hospice. \ \ \ \