Robert W. Bell 1917-2001

BELL, SMITH, HOEFER, DREES, THEN, JASPER, SIGLIN

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 2/9/2015 at 21:12:25

Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) - Wednesday, July 11, 2001

FARLEY, Iowa - Robert W. Bell, 84, of 101 Sixth Ave., N.W., Farley, died of complications with an extended illness at 10:55 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2001, at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque, surrounded by his family.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Farley, with the Rev. Dennis Cain officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Reiff Funeral Home, Farley, where there will be a St. Joseph's Parish rosary at 4 p.m.

Mr. Bell worked at the former Farley and Loetscher Mfg. Co. for 26 years. He then worked at Spahn and Rose Lumber Co., retiring in 1981. Then because of Bob's love of woodworking, he started Bell's Picture Frames, working beside his beloved wife, Millie, until 1998, when he passed the business on to his son, Bill.

He was born on June 8, 1917, in Dyersville, son of William R. and Mathilda (Smith) Bell. He married Mildred D. Hoefer, on Aug. 16, 1949, at St. Joseph's Church, Farley; she died on Feb. 6, 1999.

He received his education in the Farley area schools. He was well-known at all the local craft shows. He gardened for years, sharing the fruits of his labor with family and friends. He was an avid Cubs fan.

He was member of St. Joseph's Parish, Farley, and its altar and rosary society and also served as an usher for more than 50 years. He was a past member of the Farley Volunteer Fire Department; original board member of the Commercial Club; and past grand knight of the Farley Knights of Columbus Council 2001. He also was a member of the Dubuque Noon Optimist Club and the Teamsters Local 421.

He was a hard-working, loving father, grandfather and uncle who maintained his great sense of humor all of his life.

Surviving are three sons, Stephen "Ding" (Marilyn) Bell, of Dubuque, Tom Bell, of Farley, and Bill (Jill) Bell, of Farley; five daughters, Barb (Jerry) Drees, of Farley, Janet (Phil) Then, of Peosta, Becky Bell, of Farley, Bev (Dave) Jasper, of Bernard, and Belinda (Stephen) Siglin, of Iowa City; and 15 grandchildren.

He also was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Jeffrey Bell; a sister, Virginia Hoefer; and a brother, Don Bell.

A Robert W. Bell Memorial Fund has been established.

The family of Robert would like to thank Mercy Medical Center, Dyersville and Dubuque, Mercy Home Health Care, Dyersville Family Practice, Farley EMT's and staff, for all the wonderful care and kindness they extended to our dad throughout his illness.