Albert J. "Bert" Bell

Washington – Albert J.”Bert” Bell, 88, of Washington died at 11:08 AM on Wednesday January 8, 2014 at Unity Point Proctor in Peoria. He was born on March 2, 1925 in Lovington, IL to William F and Maude P Christ Bell. He married Dorothy J. Davison on December 1, 1942 in Shelbyville. She preceded him in death on April 1, 2005 in Washington. He was also preceded in death by one sister and two brothers. He is survived by four daughters; Doris Bell Scott of Eureka, Joy J. Bell of Peoria, Linda (Samuel) Kent of Morton, Beverly (Kurt) Defenbaugh of Virginia, IL, seven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, one sister Esther Wallace of Windsor, IL and his special friend Linda Wicks of East Peoria. Bert was a former Vice President at Washington State Bank and retired after many years of service from the First National Bank in Peoria in 1990. He owned Bell Real Estate and Bell Medical Leasing Company. In the 1950’s he helped organize the first United Way of Chillicothe and was it first president. He was a 56 year member of the George Washington Masonic Lodge #222 in Chillicothe, the Peoria Scottish Rite and Mohammed Shrine Temple. He is a current member of Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington and a past member of Sunnyland Christian Church where he served as Deacon, Elder, Sunday School Teacher, superintendant, and served many years on the Washington Rotary Club. Bert’s hobby was restoring and repairing old John Deere two cylinder tractors that he would then drive in many central Illinois parades. He also designed and manufactured the “Buddy Seat” which carried two people on old model John Deere tractors. Requests for his seat have come from as far away as Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Alaska. He was one of the organizers of the Illinois Valley Two Cylinder Club and was its first Treasurer. There will be a funeral service for Bert at 11 AM on Monday January 13, 2014 at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington. Pastor Dan Doty will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:45 at the church, followed by a Masonic service by the George Washington Masonic Lodge of Chillicothe. Entombment will take place at a later time at American Mausoleum in Peoria. Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is handling arrangements.

Albert J. "Bert" Bell

March 2, 1925 - January 8, 2014