Robert W. “Bobby” Bell Jr., 78 of Mifflintown (Rockville), passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2020 at the Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital.
Born on December 11, 1941, in Mifflin, Juniata County, he is the son of the late Robert W. Sr. and Frances E. (Pannebaker) Bell.
On June 24, 1966, he married his surviving wife, Susie M. (Richardson) Bell with whom he was blessed to share over 54 years of marriage.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Robert B. “Rob” Bell and his wife Claudia of Sand, Germany, and Gregory W. “Greg” Bell and his wife Gina of Mifflintown; siblings, John E. Bell and his wife Sheron, Doris Ann Kerlin and a sister-in-law, Linda L. Bell all of Mifflintown; and he leaves behind a grandson, Gabriel G. “Gabe” Bell, step-grandsons, Jonas Goger, Klinton and Kody O'donnell.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth G. “Kenny” Bell and a brother-in-law, Clifford A. “Dewey” Kerlin.
Mr. Bell was a 1960 graduate of Juniata Joint High School and proudly served his country with the Army Corps. of Engineers of the U.S. Army.
In earlier life he was employed by the American Viscose Corp, Lewistown, after which he was employed by Standard Steel, Burnham and in 2003 he retired as a rigger from the Mechanicsburg Naval Depot with 23 years of service.
His memberships included being a lifelong member and serving as a Trustee of the Trinity United Methodist Church, Mifflin. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge of Millerstown and Lewistown, and a member of the American Legion Post No. 298, Mifflintown.
With his love of sports, he had helped to organize the first midget football team in Mifflin, and he had coached little league baseball for nine years. He also served as the President of the Juniata Touchdown Club and was a long-time fixture on the sidelines of Dietrick Field as a member of the Chain Gang for the home football games.
Bobby loved all types of sports; he was especially an ardent fan of the Penn State Nittany Lady Lions Basketball and all of Juniata High School sports. He enjoyed photography, taking action photos of all kinds of sporting events and just general photography. Loving the outdoors, he became a bicycling enthusiast, riding with his son, grandson and nephew. Through bicycling, for fifteen years he had a mission of raising money for Multiple Sclerosis.
There will be no viewing.
A public graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2020 at the Union Memorial Gardens, Mifflintown with Pastor Dan Kerlin officiating and where full military burial honors will be accorded by the Juniata County Veterans Council.
For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Bell’s memory to the Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box F, Mifflin, PA 17058.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown.