Virgil L. Bell

Virgil Bell of Johnston, IA, 92, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at Bishop Drumm Care Center in Johnston, Iowa. The funeral will be held at 12:00 pm on Monday, December 1, 2014 at Bishop Drumm Care Center Our Lady of Peace Chapel, 5837 Winwood Drive, Johnston. The visitation will take place the hour preceding the funeral. The Rev. Mark Baldwin will officiate the service. Burial of the cremains will be at a later date at Memorial Park Cemetery in Fort Dodge.

Virgil was born to Lloyd and Jesse Mabel (Johnson) Bell on October 6, 1922 in Fort Dodge where he graduated from high school in 1941. He married Verldean Morrison of Webster City, IA on October 18, 1942 in Webster City.

During World War II, Virgil served in the 255th Infantry Regiment of the US Army’s 63rd Infantry Division in Europe. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1945, Virgil and Verldean made their home in Fort Dodge and raised five children. Virgil had a twenty-nine year career in printing at the Fort Dodge Messenger. He worked for the Iowa Air National Guard for ten years prior to his retirement in 1986. Virgil and Verldean moved to Rogers, AR in 1987.

Virgil was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge and Peace Lutheran Church in Rogers. He was an active member of the American Legion in Rogers and volunteered at the VA Hospital in Fayetteville. Virgil enjoyed gardening and traveling with Verldean during his Arkansas retirement years.

He was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan and followed many other sports teams, volunteered at church, served in the American Legion Honor Guard and enjoyed spending time with family. In 2007, Virgil and Verldean moved to Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston.

Virgil will be greatly missed by his wife of 72 years, Verldean; children, Carol (Bill) Hendricks of Kimberling City, MO, Marla (Jerry) Skadburg of Sioux City, IA, Kristin (Jeff) Strothcamp of Ankeny, IA, and Steven (Terri) Bell of Princeton, LA; son-in-law, James Koenig; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews.

Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Kathleen Koenig; one grandson; three brothers; two sisters; and two nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bishop Drumm Foundation.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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