James E. "Pappy" Bell, 82, died April 10 at his home surrounded by his loving family in Great Bend. He was born May 18, 1928, at Peabody, the son of Jesse M. and Anna (Swift) Bell. He married Grace Ann Smith June 15, 1952, at Great Bend. He worked for Petro-log and Tomlinson Oil Company until his retirement in 1989. He had been a Great Bend resident for 60 years, coming from eastern Kansas. He was a loving husband, father, and brother and could always be found in his garage working on cars. He was an accomplished auto mechanic. He always enjoyed racing and watching his grandkids in football, wrestling, and motorcycle racing.

Mr. Bell was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a member of King United Methodist Church of Great Bend.

Survivors include his wife, of the home; one son, Jimmy Bell and wife Elysia of Hoisington; four daughters, Karen Birzer and husband David of Cody, Wyo., Janis West and husband Marty of Wichita, Rhonda Spencer and husband Kevin of Gering, Neb., and Jamie Boor and Raymond Horton of Hoisington; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include two sisters, Naydene Hefner and husband Ray of Austin, Texas, and Betty Lewis of Kerrville, Texas. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Lisa Jo Bell; three brothers, Howard Bell, David Bell, and Raymond Bell; and one sister, Grace Bell Petre.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Bryant Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Grummon and Pastor Scott Tempero officiating. Interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. Visitation will be from 1-9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice, in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home*

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

(620) 793-3525

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 13, 2011