Arlis Kay Bell
Arlis Kay Bell, 73, of Havana passed away after a long battle with Parksinson’s on Thursday, October 8 at 8:15 p.m. at Havana Healthcare Center in Havana. She was born on November 18, 1946 at her family’s farmhouse in Kilbourne to Robert and Bernice M. (Huber) Vanderveen. She married Randall Bell on November 24, 1971 at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Matanzas. Mrs. Bell is survived by her husband, Randall of Havana; son, Aaron (Suzanne Morrisette) Bell of Golden, Colorado; daughter, Yara (John) Krueger of Madison, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Mackenzie (12) and Nathan (15), and two brothers, Richard “Dick” (Janice) Vanderveen of Kilbourne and Glen (Rebecca) Vanderveen of Havana. She was preceded in death by her parents and one son, Christopher Bell. Arlis attended school in Peterville at a one room schoolhouse and rode a horse, ‘Cricket’, to school every day. She went to Balyki High School and Western Illinois University (Bachelor of Art). Arlis used her passion for art to then become a middle school art teacher for several years in Quincy. She met Randy while performing together (she sang while he accompanied her on piano) at many weddings. They owned Grant’s Florist in Havana for 18 years, and she later worked for the Havana Public Library refurbishing books. She loved all types of art, including painting in many mediums, sculpture, carving, poems, and writing. She authored a comic strip called “Kitty and Carp” for many years for the Mason County Democrat and designed the original Oktoberfest logo. Mrs. Bell was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where she sang as a soprano in the church choir. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, wife, friend and community member and will be missed dearly. Graveside services were held on Saturday, October 10 at 2:00 p.m. at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Havana. Rev. Bruce LaKamp officiated. The family requested that face masks and social distancing protocols be followed at the cemetery during the service. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Bell’s name to a fund to purchase a bench in her name in downtown Havana. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com. Hurley Funeral Home in Havana was in charge of arrangements.