Arthur "Art" Charles Bell

Inkom - Arthur Charles "Art" Bell, 90, longtime resident of Inkom, passed away Sunday evening December 23, 2012 at his home following an extended illness.

He was born March 28, 1922 in Lava Hot Springs, a son of Morris Charles and Rebecca Katherine Ivers Bell.

His family moved to Inkom, when he was a young boy, where he attended schools and graduated from Inkom High School.

He joined the U. S. Army and served in the Army Air Corps in the European theater during World War II. Following his return from the war, he went to work for Morrison-Knudsen contractors as a heavy equipment operator for about 5 years. He then went to work for the Idaho Portland (later Ashgrove) Cement Company as a heavy equipment operator for 32 years retiring in 1987.

On September 18, 1959, he married Zelma Rae Mecham, in Inkom, Idaho. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He served as a member of the Inkom Volunteer Fire Dept.. He was a member and Past President of the Inkom Lions Club. He raised a beautiful garden each year which he shared with family, friends and neighbors.

He liked camping and the out of doors especially, the Island Park area. He was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch with his granddaughter through Pocatello for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

He loved his wife, children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Art's family would like to extend special thank you to the staff and caregivers at Encompass Home Health and Hospice for the loving and special care they gave our husband, father and grandpa.

He is survived by his wife, Zelma Bell, Inkom, Idaho; 2 sons, Melvin Charles "Chuck" (Coleen) Bell, American Falls, Idaho; Arthur "Kelly" (Jamie) Bell, Centerville, Utah; 2 brothers, Keith Bell, Pocatello, Idaho; Thomas (Grace) Bell, Moscow, Idaho; 2 sisters, Helen Shaffer and Beverly Phillips, both of Inkom, Idaho. 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 sisters.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Inkom Ward Chapel (Rapid Creek Rd) with Bishop Dustin Young, of the Inkom Ward officiating.

Interment will be in the Inkom Cemetery with military rites provided by the Pocatello Veteran Honor Guard. The family will meet with friends on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction and care of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave..