Obituary for James Edward "Jim" Bell
James E. Bell, 68, of Independence, IA died Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, IA.
Jim was born on April 4, 1951 in Waverly, IA the son of Charles and Alice G. (Sitts) Bell. He was a 1969 graduate of Independence High School in Independence, IA. He joined the United States Army in 1971 where he served proudly in Turkey until he returned home in 1972 to help his family after his father had an accident on the farm. On November 24, 1974 he married Linda Lee Cherry at the Union Church in Quasqueton, IA. They made their home on his parent’s farm in Independence, IA. In 1977 he received a bachelor’s degree in business from Iowa State University. Jim worked as a Maintenance man for the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office for ten years. He later worked as a custodian for the Independence Community School District for over seventeen years.
He enjoyed reading, and spent many hours lost in a mystery or western novel. Jim also was an avid fan of the Iowa State Cyclones and tried to watch any televised sporting event. His family was important to him, and he attended every one of his boys’ basketball games. He was usually found in the opposing teams bleachers making friends.
Jim is survived by his wife of forty-four years, Linda Bell, Independence, IA, his three sons; Andy Bell, Toledo, IA, Nicholas Bell, Independence, IA, and Matt (Larissa) Bell, Independence, IA,, a granddaughter, Reagan Bell, three brothers; Dave (Trina) Bell, Palatine, IL, John Bell, Independence, IA, and Scott (Laurie) Bell, Dubuque, IA, two sisters; Barb Bell, Independence, IA, and Deb Bell, Independence, IA, his mother-in-law, Patricia Cherry, Independence, IA, two brothers-in-law; Lonnie (Tammy) Cherry, Winthrop, IA, and Lee (Michelle) Cherry, Walker, IA, a sister-in-law, Lorie (Kenny) Gericke, Quasqueton, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Alice Bell, a brother Charles Bell, and his father-in-law, Lester Cherry.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday July 27, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Independence, IA, with Rev. Paul Evans presiding. Burial will be held at Wilson Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 PM until 8 PM on Friday July 26, 2019 at the Reiff Family Center in Independence, IA.
Jim was born on April 4, 1951 in Waverly, IA the son of Charles and Alice G. (Sitts) Bell. He was a 1969 graduate of Independence High School in Independence, IA. He joined the United States Army in 1971 where he served proudly in Turkey until he returned home in 1972 to help his family after his father had an accident on the farm. On November 24, 1974 he married Linda Lee Cherry at the Union Church in Quasqueton, IA. They made their home on his parent’s farm in Independence, IA. In 1977 he received a bachelor’s degree in business from Iowa State University. Jim worked as a Maintenance man for the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office for ten years. He later worked as a custodian for the Independence Community School District for over seventeen years.
He enjoyed reading, and spent many hours lost in a mystery or western novel. Jim also was an avid fan of the Iowa State Cyclones and tried to watch any televised sporting event. His family was important to him, and he attended every one of his boys’ basketball games. He was usually found in the opposing teams bleachers making friends.
Jim is survived by his wife of forty-four years, Linda Bell, Independence, IA, his three sons; Andy Bell, Toledo, IA, Nicholas Bell, Independence, IA, and Matt (Larissa) Bell, Independence, IA,, a granddaughter, Reagan Bell, three brothers; Dave (Trina) Bell, Palatine, IL, John Bell, Independence, IA, and Scott (Laurie) Bell, Dubuque, IA, two sisters; Barb Bell, Independence, IA, and Deb Bell, Independence, IA, his mother-in-law, Patricia Cherry, Independence, IA, two brothers-in-law; Lonnie (Tammy) Cherry, Winthrop, IA, and Lee (Michelle) Cherry, Walker, IA, a sister-in-law, Lorie (Kenny) Gericke, Quasqueton, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Alice Bell, a brother Charles Bell, and his father-in-law, Lester Cherry.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday July 27, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Independence, IA, with Rev. Paul Evans presiding. Burial will be held at Wilson Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 PM until 8 PM on Friday July 26, 2019 at the Reiff Family Center in Independence, IA.