Gaylan Bell

Gaylan Lee Bell, 81, passed away at his home Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021.

Gaylan, the son of Darl and Margaretta (Stutesman) Bell, was born May 8, 1940, in a farmhouse three miles northwest of Clearfield. The family moved to the town and he attended Clearfield school.

When he was 11 years old, they moved to Creston. Gaylan went to school there but spent summers and weekends down at the farm in Clearfield, where his grandpa and grandma Stutesman lived. The family farm was homesteaded by Gaylan’s great grandfather, John Bailey, and was in the family for over 100 years.

In 1957, he married Wanda Shawler. Three children were born to this union: Shelley, Terri, and Rod. In 1962, they divorced.

On Oct. 28, 1963, he married Linda Tellin. Together they had three daughters: Marcy, Darla, and Beth. In 1973, they purchased the family farm from his grandma Stutesman. He farmed until he had bypass surgery in 1998. He still loved the farm and helped other farmers put in and harvest their crops.

Gaylan was a member of the Clearfield United Methodist Church and was baptized June 8, 1941.

Gaylan loved horses and Harley Davidsons and usually had one or both most of his life. Gaylan was known for always having a joke to tell and many times you had already heard it, but he told it again anyway.

In 2018, Gaylan and Linda moved off the farm and into town. He enjoyed riding around town in his pickup or on the golf cart and would stop and visit friends.

In October 2021, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away at his home Dec. 7, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Rick Bell; parents-in-law, Donald and Martha Tellin; brothers-in-law, Gayle and Bill Tellin.

Gaylan is survived by his wife of 58 years, Linda; six children: Shelley (Billy) Stuart, Terri (Dan) Adamson, Rod Bell, Marcy (Randy) Gregg, Darla (Doug) Sobotka, Beth (Bill) Flowers; 25 grandchildren: Leah Clymer, Jordan (Becca Jo) Clymer, Austin Hancock, Ryan Gregg, Becca (Nate) Crane, Rachel Gregg (Myles Greene), Katie Sobotka, Erin Sobotka, Caleb (Jessica) Flower, Courtney (Michael) Uddenberg, Cassidy (Austin) Shoemaker, Noah Flowers, Evan Flowers, Isabelle Flowers, Cameron Flowers, Jade (Tammy) Stuart, Stoney Stuart, Kasey (Matt) Rehmeyer, Karrie Ballard, Heidi Bell, Tyson Earl Sidle, Erica LaVon Gravitt, Tara (Bob) Hower, Ashly Adamson, Kala (Brian) Hendricks;

Twenty-four great-grandchildren: Jace Bryant, Josiah Robinson, Emmit Shoemaker, Maverick Shoemaker, Lucas Flowers, Aria Uddenberg, Carter Crane, Amalaya Hancock, Jalyn Klejch, Tanner Klejch, Chase Lovely, Landon Lovely, Avery Lovely, Logan Hendricks, Quinn Hendricks, Rylie Rehmeyer, Tyson Stuart, Will Stuart, Sonya Ballard, Tristen Ballard, Jacob Cavin, Acylies Cooper, Joseph Bell, Diamond Bell; sister, Sherry (Monte) Parrott; sister-in-law Kay Bell.

Visitation, with family present, will be 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at Clearfield Methodist Church with a memorial service at 10 a.m.

Burial will follow in the Clearfield Cemetery. Memorials are to the Clearfield Cemetery. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.