Keith Bell 1932-2025

Keith Edgell Bell, 92, of Holton, passed away Monday, July 28, 2025, at the Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.

He was born Dec. 23, 1932, in Halls Summit, the son of Clair and Blanche “Marie” Jackson Bell. He graduated from Strawn High School in Strawn.

Keith was a U.S. Army veteran. He served 18 months in Germany and played upright bass in the Army Band.

Keith was a farmer and a stockman and also worked at Goodyear in Topeka. He was a member of the Potawatomi Community Church, Holton American Legion and Local 307 Steelworker’s Union.

He married Dorthea Rathert on Aug. 17, 1962 in Miami, Okla. She preceded him in death on April 8, 2020.

Keith was also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ray Bell and Cecil Bell; and a sister, JoAnn Poteet.

Survivors include his three sons, James Bell, Hoyt, Michael Bell, Gardner, and Ricky Bell, Garnett; two daughters, Christina Wilder (Steven), San Jose, Calif., and Carla Klein (Billy), Alturas, Calif.; his companion, Martha Roush, Holton; and two grandchildren, Hannah and Sarah Wilder.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1 in the Mayetta Cemetery. Keith will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hoyt.

Memorials are suggested to the Potawatomi Community Church or Holton American Legion, and may be sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, PO Box 280, Hoyt, KS 66440. Online condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com

(PAID OBITUARY)