Donald John Bell

Donald John Cameron Bell, 96, of New London, died at 11:15 A.M. on Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at the Great River Hospice House in Burlington. Born August 27, 1913, in Bad Axe, Michigan, he was the son of James and Marie Cameron Bell and stepson of Sevella Petzinger Bell. On October 3, 1953, he married Dolores Harper in Kansas City. Mr. Bell was a graduate of New London High School, the University of Iowa, and Northwestern University Law School. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in Western Europe. Following law school graduation in 1936, he worked briefly as an attorney in Houston and then for 73 years in New London as senior partner in the law firms of Bell & Hansen and later Bell, Ort, & Liechty. He served in the 1960s as president of the Iowa-Illinois Telephone Company and the New London State Bank, and was later a board member of the Burlington Bank & Trust and other financial institutions. He was also a commissioner on the Iowa State Liquor Board, and a member of the Iowa Bar Association. Survivors include two daughters-Michele Byers of Cedartown, Georgia, and Tracy Bell of Burlington-and two sons-James Bell of Phoenix and Stephen Bell of Kensi...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

on, Maryland; eight grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and a great great granddaughter. Don was preceded in death by his wife, two sisters, and a great granddaughter. A celebration of Don's life will be held in Ramey Hall at the H.J. Nugen Library in New London between 3 and 5 P.M. on Sunday, July 18. A memorial has been established for the Great River Hospice House in lieu of flowers. Elliott Chapel, New London is in charge of arrangements.