Harry Earl Bell Sr.

Harry Earl Bell Sr. age 71 of Hume, died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, at his home from the effects of lung cancer. He was born April 13, 1936, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of LeRoy S. and Carrie G. Evans Bell. He was a 1954 graduate of Center High School in Kansas City and served his country in the United States Army in 1959 and 1960. He married Mildred K. Brooks on July 31, 1965, in Kansas City.

He was employed as a farmer and carpenter working for O'Brien Partition for more than 20 years. Harry moved to Hume in 1975 where he enjoyed raising Black Angus cattle. He was a 50-year plus member of the Carpenter's Union Local No. 61, was baptized at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Kansas City, served on the Hume Fair Board, was a 4-H woodworking project leader and the Bell family was honored as Bates County Farm Family of the Year for 1988.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, LeRoy Bell Jr. and Dennis Bell, and two sisters Gladys Boles and Ruby Baber. He is survived by his wife Mildred of the home; one son Harry Bell Jr., of Hume; three daughters, Melody Wikoff and husband Jeff, of Hume, Angie Wepener and husband Verne, of Williamsport, Pa., and Carrie Sutcliffe and husband Tom, of Hume, one brother Eugene Bell of Kansas City, Mo.; a sister Anita Bennett of Raytown, Mo., and 10 grandchildren: Janine Castillo, Sara, Kelsie and Braxton Wikoff; Harrison, Andrew and Etienne Wepener; Derek, Megan, and Tommy Sutcliffe; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 12, at the Hume Christian Church. Burial will follow in the Lawrence Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home in Hume. The family suggests contributions to the Lawrence Cemetery. On line condolences can be left for the family at http://www.coffelschneider.com.