- Date Of Birth: September 6, 1925
- Date Of Death: June 29, 2022
- State: Utah
Harry John Bell, born 6 September 1925, in Rock Island Illinois, passed from this mortal existence at the home of his son on 29 June 2022 at the age of 96. He has finally joined his sweetheart, Annette Turner Bell, who preceded him through the veil ten years ago. He married Annette on 9 April 1948 in Rock Island Illinois. They were in their 64th year of marriage at the time of her death in 2012.
He is survived by his sister, Joann Bell Linke of Madrid Iowa; his sons, John Gaylord Bell (Deborah Olson Bell) of Farmington Utah and Frank Howard Bell (Sandra Ralston Bell) of Caledonia Illinois.
He was blessed to have 17 grandchildren: Megan Bell, Danny Lynn Swank, Lonny Morgan Bell, John Calendar Swank, Michael Adam Swank, Stephen Mathias Swank, Elizabeth Marea Swank, John Benjamin Bell, David Wadsworth Bell, Sara Elizabeth Jennings, Sara Holland Bell, Ryan Brandt Bell, Richard Lynn Bell, Heidi Anne Bell, Nicole Kathleen Goble, Christopher Eric Bell and Nicholas Hans Bell.
He also had 17 great grandchildren: Bailey Rainwater, Maylee Jade Bell, Wyatt Rainwater, Madyx David Bell, Paxten Deiter Bell, Cooper Rippey Jennings, Serenity Skye Swank, Ivoree Camilla Bell, Claire Elizabeth Jennings, Adree Vera Bell, Johannah Bobbi Brent, Chloe Kathleen Jennings, Catie Marie Jennings, Violet Eliza Sawyer, Charlee Lela Bell, Adam Michael Swank, and Ashlyn Swank.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents, Howard “D” Bell and Emma Brandt Bell; and his brother, Larry Brandt Bell; his daughter, Ida-Kathryn Swank (Roger); his daughter-in-law, Gayla Bateman Bell (John); his granddaughter, Megan Bell; and grandson, Lonny Morgan Bell (Gayla); and his grandson, Christopher Eric Bell (John).
Harry was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served diligently in many church positions and was truly chosen of the Lord. He and Annette served as volunteer missionaries in the Church’s Family History Library.
Harry and Annette began their married life in the upstairs apartment of his grandparent’s home in Rock Island. They also lived for a short time in Green Acres Illinois before moving to Belvidere Illinois where they built the family home and raised their three children: John, Ida-Kathryn, and Frank. Belvidere was their home for their entire marriage.
Harry loved the Chicago Cubs and was a charter member of the Die-Hard Cub Fan Club and proudly carried the membership card issued to him in 1932. He was a long-time member of the Belvidere YMCA where he enjoyed swimming laps and meeting with friends every morning. After retiring, he worked the early shift at the YMCA front desk before swimming his laps. Even after relocating to Utah and was no longer driving, he rode public transportation to a local recreation center and continued his lap swimming daily. He was also privileged to soar over the Salt Lake valley in a hot air balloon for his 90th birthday.
Harry was a hard worker and set an example for his children to give an honest day’s work. While still in high school, he worked at the Rock Island Arsenal during a portion of WWII. In 1957, Harry was hired by Red Jacket Pumps and the family relocated to Belvidere. He was a member of the development team that created the submersible pump.
Harry was always proud of his ability to better himself through his hard work and persistence. He took evening classes in bookkeeping and when his employment hours prevented him from attending school, he continued to study on his own. These self-taught skills qualified him for employment as a bookkeeper at a private school in Rockford Illinois. Later, he was hired as President of the Winnebago Teacher Federal Credit Union. Harry enjoyed that position tremendously, was well liked by staff and customers, and worked there until he retired.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses, and staff of the St. Lawrence (New York) County Hospice and Aspire Hospice (Utah) for the care and compassion shown to him during his last few months of mortality. We also express gratitude to Ida-Kathryn and Roger Swank for inviting dad into their home and for the care and concern they showed for his health and wellbeing during the last several years.
Harry has been cremated and his remains have been placed next to Annette in the Belvidere Highland Gardens cemetery.
