Obituary of Robert Franklin Bell

Robert Franklin Bell, the son of Ramon Bell and Myrtle Hall, was born August 22, 1917 in Newton, Iowa. He graduated from Newton Senior High with the class of 1934. Bob was united in marriage with Betty Sparks. She would precede him in death. Bob married Virginia Mateer on November 4, 1954. Bob enjoyed working the land and was a farmer ahead of his time. He had served on the Jasper County Soil and Conservation Board, the Jasper County Extension Council and the Lucas County board of Health. Bob was an outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, mushroom hunting, dancing, and old time country music festivals. Bob died on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at the West Ridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Knoxville, Iowa. He was 93 years old. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Betty. Those left to honor Bob's memory include his wife of over 56 years, Virginia of Knoxville, Iowa; his sons, Ernest (Betty) Bell of Newton and J. Douglas (Jaci) Bell of Reasnor; his daughter, Barbara McClelland of Knoxville; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and five step-great grandchildren; his sister, Dorice McEvoy of Yankton, SD and his brother, Ramon Bell of Joplin, MO. Services will be held at 11:00a.m. Monday, August 8th at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Friends may greet the family from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be designated in Bob's name to the Hospice of Central Iowa and may be left at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be left at www.pencefh.com