Gary Bell 1941-2024
Gary Lee Bell, 83, of Holton, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, at Vintage Park in Holton, with family by his side.
He was born Feb. 9, 1941 in Goff, the son of Everton Albert and Iva Hulda (Bareiss) Bell.
Gary graduated from Goff High School in 1958. He worked at American Yearbook (presently named Josten’s Yearbook) in Topeka for more than 15 years. He began working in Holton for the Gossip Printery in 1974. Gary and his wife, Carolyn, purchased it in 1979, naming it Bell Graphics. Gary retired after it sold in 2004.
He was a member and former elder of Circleville Christian Church and was very involved with the music for the church. Gary was a member of Holton Lions Club, as well as Kansas Prairie Pickers Association. He was instrumental in beginning the Prairie Lake Pickin’ Party, held annually at Prairie Lake. Gary’s love for music and his guitar was known by many, playing and singing for church, funerals, Pickers Paradise, anniversaries, numerous get-togethers and teaching others.
Gary married Carolyn Ruth Fund on July 9, 1960, at the home of his brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Patsy Bell, in Goff. They celebrated more than 61 years of marriage before her passing on Nov. 15, 2021. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Everton and Iva Bell; a son, Paul Bell; a sister, Opal Adams; and five brothers, Roy, Earl, Lawrence, Nobel and Alvin Bell.
Survivors include his daughter, Lori Mellenbruch (Earl) of Soldier; a son, Darren Bell (Arthur Gilkison) of Denver, Colo.; five sisters-in-law, Millie Bell of Colorado, Dona Bell of Wetmore, Patsy Bell of Goff, Marclare Bell of Holton and Mary Fund (Ed Reznicek) of Goff; a brother-in-law, Arlie Fund of Delia; five grandchildren; two great-granddaughters with one more great-grandchild on the way; and much loved nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23 at Circleville Christian Church. Family will greet friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Gary will lie in state for public viewing from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. until visitation time Sunday. Inurnment will be held at Barnes Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be given to Circleville Christian Church, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
