Darrell E. Bell

Obituary of Darrell E. Bell           

            Darrell E. Bell, 88, of Belleville, KS, the son of Frank J. Bell and Ila May (Johnson) Bell, was born December 22, 1932 in Belleville, KS and passed away on March 22, 2021 at Republic County Hospital, Belleville, KS.

            Darrell grew up in the Lincoln, NE area and later graduated high school from the Western Military Academy in Illinois.    He then served with the United States Navy for 4 years.   After his honorable discharge, he returned to college at Southern Illinois University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio & Television.

            He was united in marriage to Norma Zacheis on September 26, 1959.   She preceded him in death.

            On February 3, 1995, he was united in marriage to Donna Mae Bell and she survives.

            Darrell worked in radio and television, working several years at WIRL Radio in Peoria, Illinois as a salesman/sales manager and later in Great Falls, Montana.     He worked at the NBC television affiliate in Wichita, KS in the 1990’s and then returned to radio sales in Peoria.   While is Peoria, he was involved and organized the Miss America Pageant Program (Miss Heart of Illinois) and was past president of the Jaycees.

            After his retirement, he was a professional clown and was involved in the  Golden Clowns of Hemet, California.     He and his wife, Donna Mae, performed as clowns all over Europe and the United States, including the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah.     He also served with Mountain Rescue in Riverside, California as the chief HAM radio operator for several years.

            He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Bell, first wife, Norma; and step-son, Lynn Morgan.

            Darrell is survived by his wife, Donna Mae Bell, of Belleville, KS; daughter, Raya Bell of Fairfield, Iowa;  son, Steve Bell of Fairfield, Iowa; step-daughter, Lori (Thomas) Finegan of Idaho Springs, Colorado; 8 step-grandchildren and 9 step great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

            Cremation was selected and graveside memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 27, 2021 at the Belleville Cemetery, Belleville, KS.

            Inurnment will follow the services.

            Online condolences may be left at www.bachelor-surber.com

            Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is in charge of the arrangements.

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