Justin Lawrence Newell, 38, of Keokuk, formerly of Muscatine, IA died Tuesday, December 6, 2022 in Keokuk.

He was born on November 30, 1984 in Lawrence, KS, the son of Ken Lawrence Marlon Newell and Karen Nadine Ridinger. He graduated from Lawrence High School with the Class of 2003. He spent most of his life in Lawrence before moving to Muscatine.

He had been employed as a Chef at La Familia Restaurant and Alvamar Country Club both in Lawrence, KS. His first job was at Hy-Vee and he really loved working there.

Justin was a very talented artist. He created unique faces out of recycled objects and also enjoyed woodworking. His creative mind was always looking for new things to invent. Justin enjoyed cooking for his family and friends and creating different kinds of dishes for them to enjoy. He liked to fish, was a movie buff, loved all kinds of music and loved animals, especially his dog, "Duke" and his cat "Jinx".

He is survived by his mother, Karen See of Keokuk, two sisters, Sherri Guthrie (Aron) of Lawrence, KS and Melissa Beavens of Muscatine, IA, one brother, Brian Watson (Charlene) of Lawrence, KS and two step-sisters, Bobbi Jo Garza of Wapello, IA and Bambi See of Muscatine. He is also survived by several aunts and uncles, numerous nieces and nephews and his step-grandfather, Loren 'Sonny" Wheeler of Montpelier, IA.

He was preceded in death by his two grandmothers, Clara Wheeler and June Newell.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.