Jill M. Huels

Jill Meredith Huels,72, of Fishers, passed away November 7, 2021.  She was born August 3, 1949 in Des Moines, Iowa to the late Wayne and Jean Smith. Jill was a 1967 graduate of Oshkosh High School, where she was part of the Fruit Bowl. She   received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Iowa State University where she was a proud Gamma Phi Beta. After school, she moved to Galesburg for her first teaching job. It was there she met the love of her life, Paul Joseph Huels. They married on June 11, 1977.Jill spent many years as a strong, faithful caretaker to her loving husband until his passing five years ago. They had been married for 38 years. Jill was an elementary school teacher for the Galesburg School System for over 30 years. Teaching primarily 3rd graders, Jill had a passion for education and a true gift with children. She took great ownership in making learning fun while also truly loving and caring for the hundreds of children that entered her classrooms over the years.    Jill is survived by her children, Matthew P. Huels and his wife, Nicole who reside in Oak Park with their three kids, Wynne, Cormac, and Joseph; and Meghann E. Dials and her husband, Joshua who live in Indianapolis, IN with their kids, Penelope and Hugo. She was the best “Grammy” to her five grandchildren, known for her silly songs, funny voices, and for telling everyone around her how perfect her grandkids were. To her own children, she was magic. She is also survived by her two brothers, Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, his wife Nancy, and nephews Benjamin and Joseph; and Matthew Smith and his wife, Kim.  Jill will be remembered as a friend, a teacher, a mother, a grandmother, a wife, a feminist, and as a proud blue dot in a red state.    There will be a memorial service for Jill’s friends and loved ones at 1pm CST on November 20, 2021 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home in Galesburg, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The New Teacher Project.