Former Fallon, Elko Councilman John Tewell dies

John Tewell, who served on the city councils of two Nevada cities, died Sunday at his home.

He was 92.

Tewell, who was born on Sept. 28, 1928, in Elko, was honored by the city of Fallon on his 90thbirthday in 2018. A graduate of Elko High School, Tewell worked for the Elko Daily Free Press for 30 years and served on the city council for eight years. Tewell also sold insurance for Farm Bureau Insurance.

Tewell and his wife Faye, who were married for more than 67 years, moved to Fallon in 1990. In June 1993, he successfully ran for Fallon City Council. He was also employed part-time by the Churchill County School District.

“It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of my wonderful and loyal friend John Tewell,” said Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford. “My first thoughts are to offer condolences to his wife Faye, his children, and grandchildren.”

Tewell served as a Fallon councilman for 16 years. The Fallon Churchill Volunteer Fire Department recognized Tewell by making him an honorary member for the years he spent on the fire board.

"As a member of the board, I wasn’t an active fireman, but I always enjoyed getting first-hand information, especially after a fire,” he told the LVN in 2018.

Tedford said Tewell had a strong love for fire department and was very pleased to be recognized as an honorary member.
“If it was jacket weather, we were sure to see John proudly wearing his Fallon-Churchill Volunteer Fire Department jacket,” Tedford said.

In his later years, he was an ambassador for the Fallon Chamber of Commerce and rarely missed a ribbon cutting.
Tedford said Tewell was extremely supportive of the Fallon Chamber of Commerce .

The Tewells, along with their daughter Dotty Krake, also lit Fallon’s downtown 2020 Christmas tree. He said at the time the ceremony was checking off another item on his bucket list.

Tewell said at the time the tree lighting has always been a “can’t miss” occasion no matter the weather. Both Faye and he looked forward every year to one of Fallon’s biggest events of the holidays.

“Since we’ve been here, we’ve been down here taking photos,” he said after December’s tree lighting.

Tewell said the Fallon community has been very good to both Faye and him since they moved here.

“I will always cherish our friendship and deeply respect his steadfastness and the special love he had for the City of Fallon and its citizens,” the mayor said. “Above all, John had an unwavering commitment to God and an extreme devotion and love for his wife Faye. Their 70 years of marriage was admired by many, and they were often seen arm-in-arm enjoying their time with one another. I know we will all miss John and our city’s glow has been a little dimmer since his passing.”

Arrangements are under the guidance of The Gardens Funeral Home. A service will be conducted at the Christian Life Center on July 17.