Wilma Jean Bell

ELKHART — Wilma J. Bell, 72, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at her home with her family at her side following an extended illness at 8:45 a.m. Monday, June 25, 2018.

She was born Oct. 4, 1945, in Moorland Township, Michigan, to the late Chester W. and Helen M. (Hosmer) Downs.

On July 31, 1981, she married John L. Bell in Elkhart. He survives her at home.

Also surviving are children Elizabeth (Adam) Zea of Prescott Valley, Arizona, Stephen (Ceci) Bell of Denver, Colorado, David Bell and Christy (Ben) Kitt, both of Elkhart, and Scot and Justin Hunter, both of Goshen; siblings Patricia (Dave) Bone of Elkhart, John (Judy) Downs of Ravenna, Michigan, and Linda Downs of Greenville, South Carolina; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and two on the way. 

She was preceded in death by a son, Tom Bell.

Celebrations of Wilma’s life will begin at Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart with a visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 28. 

Then on Friday, June 29, the Northside Church of the Nazarene, 53569 C.R. 7, Elkhart, will host her funeral at 11 a.m. with visitation starting there at 10 a.m. 

Pastors Tim and Gary Sheets will officiate and burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola.

Wilma retired from Elkhart General Hospital in 2011 after 37 years as a certified unit secretary and was a lifelong and active member of the Northside Church of the Nazarene. 

She enjoyed travelling extensively across the United States and will be best remembered for her outlandish sense of humor and ability to have fun with people of all ages.

Memorial donations may go to Nazarene Missions International in care of Northside Church of the Nazarene.

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