Lewis Earl Powell

Lewis Earl Powell of Maple Knoll Village, Cincinnati, OH and South Bend, IN passed away peacefully at home in Cincinnati on Tuesday February 17, 2026, at the age of 98. Born December 6, 1927, in Lebanon, IN Lew grew up in Huntington, the very small town of Amo and Indianapolis, Indiana. Upon graduation from Huntington High School in 1945 Lew promptly enlisted in the Navy, of which he was very proud, serving on the USS Princeton at the end of WW II. Upon discharge from the Navy, he enrolled at Ball State Teachers College (now University), graduating three years later. He later earned a master’s in industrial education at the University of Illinois. While at Ball State he met Ellen Cunningham; they married on June 5, 1951. Lew and Ellen moved to South Bend in 1953 where each had long careers in education. Lew began as a shop teacher at Harrison Elementary, and later at Adams High School before becoming an administrator in the Adult and Vocational Education Department for 24 years. After retiring from the South Bend Community School system, he worked in the construction industry as inspector for Cole Associates Engineers and later for Slutsky Peltz Heating and Plumbing, finally retiring for good at age 80. Lew is survived by sons Jon (Heidi Arnest) and Jan (Jamie) and daughter Julie Zigler (Dennis Russell – deceased), grandchildren Shea Powell, Kyle Zigler, Ryan Zigler, Adam Powell, Alexandra Lesring and Zach Powell, and three great grandchildren. He was predeceased by wife Ellen and son Michael. Never shy, Lew loved to share family stories with everyone he met – at the grocery, at Maple Knoll and especially at family gatherings.

Visitation will be on Friday March 13, 2026 from 1:30pm until the time of service (2:30pm) at Maple Knoll Chapel, 11100 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45246. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.avancefuneralhome.com