Obituaries
Norman J. Bell, Sr., 82
July 09, 2020
Norman J. Bell Sr., born October 1937 died on July 9, 2020, from complications of the COVID virus. He was the son of the late Mary Ellen and Wayne T. Bell. He has a brother, Barry Bell of Lancaster.
His first wife was Patricia Hohenwarter Bell, to whom he was married for 39 years. She was the mother of their three children. They are Karen, wife of Tom Tillett, Columbia; Eileen, wife of Jack DiLullo, Austin, TX; and Norm Jr., husband of Brenda, Holland, MI. He and Pat had eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
His second wife, Arlene Mathiot Bell, to whom he was married for twenty-two years, is the mother of three children. They are Debbie, wife of Bob Yinger, Strasburg; and Lynn Graham and Jeanine Mathiot, both of Lancaster. Arlene has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Norm graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School. In 2009, he was inducted into the Lancaster Catholic Athletic Hall of Honor. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a BS in Economics.
He was a retiree from IBM with whom he worked for 31 years throughout the United States. The last 8 years of his career was with Check Solutions in Memphis. He retired from that company in 1999.
Norm was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, where he served as treasurer of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He also helped tutor students in reading at Carter and MacRae Elementary School.
Norm’s hobbies included travel, reading and sports, especially Notre Dame Football.
Interment will take place at St. Joseph’s New Catholic Cemetery in Bausman. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Norm’s memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 501 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17602. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
July 19, 2020
Dear Arlene, Karen,Eileen, and last but not least my bud, Norm: My deepest condolences on the loss of your Husband and Father. Mr Bell (Ok, I know I am 60 yrs old and I can call you Norm) played such an important part in my Life and helped to fill the void I had losing my Father early. I spent so much time in your House growing up that rememberences of sitting in your Living Room watching the Sixers or getting chided for talking over the ND football broadcast will last me a lifetime. I was always very comfortable there. Norm Jr and I have already re-shared some ofthe great philosophical one liners attributed to his Dad. Probably funnier to us, but his classic inquiry at the Burger King counter of “What is your equivalent of the Big Mac?” will live in infamy with us foreever. I know it hard to lose your Husband and Dad and he surely will be missed by All. I for one feel extremely fortunate to have grown up around Norm Sr and of course also Pat and Arlene. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Mike Child
July 18, 2020
Dear Karen I am truly sorry for your loss your father was a very kind a sweet man I loved talking to him when I would see him at school if you need anything feel free to call me Marzella
July 16, 2020
What a loss to Norm’s family, to co-workers and to friends. Norm has been a friend of mine since St. Joe’s School, Catholic High and right up to our last years of being part of the Thursday Lunch Guys together. The guys will miss him! He was a great family man, friend, sports fan extraorninaire (especially his beloved Notre Dame). A true gentleman.
Linda and I send our deepest sympathy to Arlene and their children.
James and Linda Kopf
July 15, 2020
Arlene and Family:
We are sad to hear of my big cousin’s passing. I remember watching him play ball at F&M-I was always excited to see him play.And I always enjoyed my talks with him during our family outings.
He is at peace now with the Lord and his parents. Our thoughts and prayers remain with you and the family.
Cack & Cheryl
July 15, 2020
May God grant all comfort and strength. So sorry Karen Tillet.
July 15, 2020
I am deeply saddened at the loss of my dear cousin “Norny.” Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this very difficult time.
Roseanne Daecher
July 14, 2020
i am sorry for your loss i am praying for you all. I Am Marysue Perry Sharons daughter.
July 14, 2020
Arlene,
We are sorry to hear about the passing of Norm. We will miss seeing him. If you need anything please let us know.
your neighbors,
Kelley, Jason, Aiden and Brendan
July 13, 2020
I met Norm while I was working at the Fitness Center on the F&M campus. He always had something witty to say and always had a smile on his face. We discussed everything from sports, especially Notre Dame football to politics. He certainly had his opinions. I’m sorry for your loss.
Phil Capp
July 13, 2020
Dear Norm, Brenda, and family. Our sincere condolences on the passing of your father. Our love and prayers are with you all. Justin and Melody Straub
July 13, 2020
Arlene: Sorry to hear of Norm’s passing.
My thoughts and prayers are with you
at this time.
Yvonne Bell
July 13, 2020
To Karen, Norman and Eileen
Sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad.
My prays and thoughts are with you and
your families. He will be greatly missed.
Aunt Yvonne
July 13, 2020
So sad to hear of Norm’s passing away. Please accept my condolences and sympathy. Norm was the glue that held our Lancaster Catholic Class of 1955 together. He will be missed by us all.
Teckla Collier Jones
July 12, 2020
Saddened to hear of Norm’s passing. So many fond memories.My deepest condolences to the family.
Ron and Karen Flick
July 12, 2020
Dear Arlene, So sorry to hear the news that Norm died of COVID19 and that you are home recovering from the same virus. You must have had a terrible time, we really feel for you.
All my love, Pamela
July 12, 2020
Arlene, Karen, Norman and Eileen,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing on Uncle Norm. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Vicki (Bell) Souders
July 12, 2020
Arlene – Rosemary and I are very sorry for your loss. norm was a great guy. We’ll remember both you and Norm in our prayers.
Bob & Rosemary Ganse
July 12, 2020
MY name is Ron Ford & I want to express my concolences to Norm’s family. He was a great guy.
Norm and I spent a lot of time together. We worked for a long time together at IBM,we played racket ball at the old YMCA,& we were memers of the same Fraternity although I was at Gettysburg & he was at F&M. I was glad I got to talk to him about a month ago.
Good bye my old friend!!
July 12, 2020
Arlene,
I am so sorry to hear of Norm’s passing. Over the years we became friends and close members of the Saint Vincent De Paul Society at St. Anthony’s Church. He was always willing help those in need at the Parish. I always valued Norm’s input and wisdom when our group reviewed cases, and made decisions. I will always remember his great sense of humor. I will miss him greatly. Rest in peace. Ron
July 12, 2020
I have many cousins too many to name or remember. With that being said Norm was a joy to be around and if you know him, his sense of humor was contagious. So to Barry and Arlen I only wish I could be there when you put Norm to rest. I’m sure there will be a really good party taking place in heaven soon.
Getting old really does SUCK!
Bob
July 12, 2020
Arlene, so sorry for your loss. Keep him in your heart and he will live forever.
Toni Bowman
July 12, 2020
Arlene,
Ken & I send our deepest sympathy over Norm’s passing. We are deeply sorry for your loss and send our prayers and thoughts to you and family. Ken & Irene Steckler
July 12, 2020
It saddens me to read the passing of Norm.He was one of my favorite customers at Tobias Frogg. I also had the privilege of a road trip with him to visit another elderly patron Robert. So sorry for your loss .He was a great kind man 🤗😘 Tammy Distasi
July 12, 2020
Arlene,
It is saddening to hear of your loss. You have my heart felt sympathy. Still have fond memories our school days.
Leo Kaufhold
