Keith Frank Bell

Keith Frank Bell, 93, returned home to his Heavenly Father August 8, 2019. He was born on January 26, 1926 to Morris Charles Bell and Katherine Rebecca (Peggy) Ivers Bell in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. While in Lava they had a sawmill operation located in Dempsey Creek and later moved a short distance to East Creek. In 1933 his family moved the sawmill to Portneuf. In 1934 his dad left the family operation and accepted a partnership with Merrill Hammond, who owned a mill in the Buckskin Valley. In 1935 the mill operation was moved to Inkom. Their family home was located on the same property. The home is still standing and where the mill was located is now the Inkom Park.

Dad received his education at Portneuf Elementary School, Buckskin Elementary, Inkom Elementary, Inkom High School, and Idaho State College.

On February 3, 1951 Keith married Eva Larsen in Inkom and their marriage was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple on October 11, 1978. They were married until June 12, 1995 when Eve was taken far too soon from cancer. On September 15, 1997 he married Sharell Balls Helmandollar in the Idaho Falls Temple. They were married until July 20, 2012 when Sherry was taken too soon from cancer as well.

Keith went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad on February 2, 1943 as a machinist apprentice. This move would set the course for a lifelong career with the U.P. At age 17 he joined the Navy, serving in World War II. On January 7, 1945 his ship was hit by what he believed to be a torpedo. It sank in about 15 minutes. 28 men were killed and 3 wounded. Keith was one of the wounded and had been listed as missing in action. He was a Purple Heart recipient. Keith was honorably discharged on May 5, 1946 and returned to Idaho where he resumed his work as a machinist at the railroad. His seniority had continued during his service time. In the fall of 1946 he enrolled in the Diesel Electric Program at Idaho State College, graduating on May 29, 1950. This was at the time the U.P. was converting to diesel from steam engines. Keith got in on the ground floor and made great strides as a diesel electric machinist. At age 26 he was promoted to diesel shop foreman, the youngest foreman in the entire Union Pacific Railroad system and had a long and productive career until he retired on June 11, 1990.

Keith's greatest enjoyment in life was his family, fishing, and cutting wood. He loved the outdoors, especially Island Park where he continued his logging by cutting wood and selling it.

Keith was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings, but the one that meant the most to him was when he worked with the young men.

Keith was blessed with a wonderful family of one son and one daughter. He is survived by his little brother, Thomas O. Bell (Moscow), his son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Janet Bell (Pocatello), daughter and son-in-law, David and Debbie Rice (Pocatello), 5 grandchildren, Jason and Amy Rice, Jodi Cutler, Jill and Derek Eddie, Jarrod and Natalie Bell, Joshua and Natalie Rice, and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Peggy Bell, brother, Art Bell, sisters, Arcile Green, Helen Shaffer, Grace Ingram, Beverly Phillips, and great-grandsons, Berkley, Beckett, and Bronx Eddie.

There will be a viewing on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Wilks Funeral Home from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Wilks Funeral Home on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 11:00 am. Family will receive family and friends one hour before services. Burial will follow at the Norton Cemetery in McCammon, Idaho.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Copper Summit Assisted Living and Heritage Home Health Hospice, especially his angel nurse, Angela Young for providing him such loving care.

Memories and condolences may be shared with his family under the "Tribute Wall" tab above.