Martha Jewel Tibbs

Martha “Jewel” J. Tibbs

March 28, 1949 – May 2, 2025

Martha “Jewel” J. Tibbs, 76, of Mishawaka let her spirit take flight on May 2, 2025. Jewel was born to the late Roy P. Matthias and Bontia M. (Tharpe) Matthias on March 28, 1949, in Pascagoula, MS.  Jewel married the love of her life, Duane Tibbs, on February 16, 1972, and recently celebrated 53 years of marriage together. 

Jewel is survived by her husband, Duane Tibbs; children Jeff (Jennifer) Tibbs and Doug (Brandy) Tibbs; grandchildren Ethan, Abigale, Liam, Layla, Logan and Layne Tibbs; siblings, Roy (Carolyn) Mathias, Gail Goff, and Allen Matthias as well as nieces, Kelly (Stephen) Revell and Anita (Kyle) Coates, nephew, Chris Hicks, sister in-law Cindy Tibbs and many extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, father and mother in-law, Duane C. (Cecilia) Tibbs, sister and brother in-law, Bonnie Mae (Charles) Hicks, nephew, Chuck Hicks, and niece, Marie Bryant. 

Jewel’s career path was a full time Military spouse for 20 years, full time devoted mother to two busy boys, worked for H&R Block which allowed her to do the taxes for the Blue Angels, and administrative services for several businesses throughout her employment journey. 

Jewel was proud of her husband’s service in the U.S. Airforce, which fueled her love with airplanes. Over the years, she and Duane enjoyed sitting outside together for hours counting the planes in the sky. Jewel took great pride in being a mother and grandmother. She loved being a team mom for her sons’ sports teams and spending time with her grandchildren. Family was everything to Jewel and making sure everyone was taken care of was most important. Jewel looked forward to her daily Facetime calls with her son, Jeff and her good morning texts from her son, Doug. Jewel enjoyed playing puzzle games on the Ipad, the Price is Right, Let's Make a Deal, Fox News and watching movies on Lifetime, often telling the ending to anyone in the room within the first 5 minutes and still making you watch the whole movie. 

Friends may visit with the family Friday, May 9th, from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, IN. A funeral service celebrating the life of Jewel will be held following the visitation at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Mishawaka, IN. Donations in Jewel’s honor may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

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