ALDEN — Representative Robert G. Bethell, 69, died May 20 in Topeka. Born Nov. 5, 1942, in Joliet, Ill., he was the son of George and Ann Bath Bethell. A resident of Alden since 1982, he was formerly of Siloam Springs, Ark. He received his bachelor’s degree from John Brown University and his master’s degree in Education from the University of Illinois. On Dec. 19, 1965 he married Lorene Fay Redmon in Joliet, Ill. He was a State Representative for the 113th District, Senior Pastor at the Alden and Raymond Baptist Churches and former nursing home administrator in various locations across the state.
Representative Bethell was a member of the Alden and Raymond Baptist Churches, the Rotary Club of Sterling, Veteran Motor Car Club of America, former Mayor of Alden, former advisory board member of Sterling College, former Board Member of Kansas Association of Homes for the Aging, and served on numerous boards and committees.
Survivors include his wife, Lorene, of the home; a daughter, Aletha Ann and Todd Pelham of Blue Springs, Mo.; two grandchildren, Zachary Robert and Addison Faye Pelham; a brother, Bill Bethell of Indiana; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Jim Bethell.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24, at the United Methodist Church in Sterling with Matt Hendricks officiating. Friends may visit from 2-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with family present. Memorials are suggested to the Alden Senior Center or Special Olympics of Kansas, in care of the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Birzer Funeral Homes*
203 N. 7th; P.O. Box 262
Sterling, KS 67579
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 23, 2012