Stephen Craig Bell, 75, of Ottumwa, died at 5:05 p.m. June 24, 2026 at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.
He was born February 17, 1951 in Ottumwa to Paul and Gladys Rising Bell. He married Julie Fisk January 1, 1982 in Las Vegas.
A resident of Ottumwa all of his life, Steve graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1969. He mowed lawns and shoveled snow at a young age, worked at several gas stations, owned and operated Steve’s Custom Vans and worked for The Boat Shop. Steve worked 45 years for John Deere Ottumwa Works, retiring in 2017.
Steve enjoyed coaching his sons’ National Little Leage teams and served as the league president for a time. He also served as president of the Shaul Cemetery Board as well as secretary for the Naval Air Station Ottumwa Restoration Committee. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing cards, boating, fishing, landscaping and watching the Chicago Cubs. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.
Surviving is his wife of 44 years, Julie; their sons, Brian (Megan) Bell and Schuyler Bell both of Ottumwa; 2 grandchildren, Ruby Bell and Cora Bell; sister-in-law, Virginia Bell; along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Richard Bell and Ronald Bell; and sisters-in-law, Sondra Bell and Jane Fisk.
Visitation will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 28th at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday, June 29th at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Hornback officiating. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Shaul Cemetery Association.
