Obituary of Ernest F. Bell

Ernest Franklin Bell, the son of Robert Franklin and Betty (Sparks) Bell, was born February 7, 1939 near Sully, Iowa. He graduated from the Lynnville-Sully High School and received a degree in engineering from Iowa State University. Ernie loved to work the land and always enjoyed his time on the farm. He could often be found working in his shop fixing equipment or inventing a new piece of machinery to use on the farm. On August 20, 1988, Ernie was united in marriage with Betty Louise Brock in Nashville, TN. Ernie enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting and taking trips to Florida. Ernie died on Sunday, June 29, 2014 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. He was 75 years old. Ernie was preceded in death by his father and mother. Those left to honor Ernie’s memory include his wife, Betty of Newton, IA; his daughter, Helen Denise (Phil) Hughes of Cuba, MO; his son, David Todd (Jayne) Bell of Newton; his daughter, Betty Diane Bell of California; a step son; his grandchildren, Ryan Jordan), Michael and Sarah; his step granddaughter, Melanie (Justin) Etter; his three step great grandchildren; his step mother, Virginia Bell of Knoxville; his sister Barb McClelland of Knoxville and his brother, Doug (Jaci) Bell of Reasnor. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at the Hewitt Cemetery in rural Sully, Iowa. You are welcome to wear casual dress and bib overalls. A public viewing will be from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm Tuesday at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton. No family visitation is planned. Memorials may be designated to the Jasper County Animal Rescue League and Humane Society or the Jasper County Museum and may be left at the cemetery or at the funeral home.