Lester Bell

LESTER BELL

Lone Tree

Lester Bell, 97, of Lone Tree, passed away at Pioneer Park Care Center on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at Lone Tree United Presbyterian Church. Pastor Jim Bonewald will officiate. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery, with full military rites provided by Lone Tree American Legion Post 457. Following committal services at the cemetery, a time of food and fellowship will be held at Lone Tree United Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 26, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Sorden-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Lone Tree, with a Masonic service at 8 p.m.

Memorials will be given to Lone Tree American Legion Post 457, Lone Tree United Presbyterian Church and Lone Tree First Responders.

Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.

Lester Irving Bell was born April 27, 1920, in rural Johnson County, Iowa, the son of William and Frieda L. (Reiland) Bell. Lester graduated from Sharon Center High School and attended the University of Iowa. Lester left college to work at Lockheed Aircraft Co. in California, leading him to enlist in the military. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, serving in World War II. Lester was united in marriage to Betty A. Petru on Jan. 3, 1943. Lester farmed in Lone Tree, Haskins and Nichols. He drove the DX tank wagon service for Lone Tree and retired from Johnson County Propane, where he worked in sales and delivery. He sold Archer Oil for over 70 years.

He was a member of Lone Tree United Presbyterian Church, American Legion, Masonic Lodge of Lone Tree and a past member of the Shiners of Iowa City. Lester enjoyed bowling, fishing and pitching horseshoes, winning numerous tournaments and awards. He also enjoyed playing cards, gardening and going dancing with his wife, Betty. The most important thing to Lester was taking a family vacation and fishing trip every year. He loved teaching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to fish.

Lester will be deeply missed by his daughter, Judith L. Grecian of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Angela Daoud of Mason City and Andrew Grecian of Solon; great-grandchildren, Kristina, Khalil and Joey Daoud; brother, Clifford Bell of West Branch; sister-in-law, Dorothy Bell of Fremont, Neb.; brothers-in-law, Jack Petru of Lime Springs and Robert Colbert of Riverside; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty in 2002; sisters, Florence Holmes, Gertrude Mumm, Mildred Sass and Viola Grimm; brothers, James Bell, and his twin, Chester Bell; and a son-in-law, Daryl Grecian.