Dennis C. Bell

Dennis C. Bell, 72, of McCune, KS, passed away peacefully in his home on March 3, 2025. He was born on January 20, 1953, to Bobby and Mary (Ricketts) Bell in Glenpool, OK, where he grew up and attended Glenpool Schools. It was in Glenpool that Dennis forged lifelong friendships that remained dear to him throughout his life. A passionate musician from early childhood, Dennis taught himself to play the guitar and joined a band in his early teens. Even before he was old enough to drive, he was already entertaining crowds with his musical talents, a love that stayed with him always. Dennis worked for many years as a Foreman at Flanagan Iron Works and Oklahoma Steel in Tulsa, OK. Later, he joined a local machine shop near his hometown of Glenpool until relocating to Kansas. There, he was employed as a cabinet maker at Grandview Products until his retirement. Outside of work, Dennis was rarely without a Harley Davidson motorcycle—one he’d ride and another he’d tinker with, either for himself or a friend. In his later years, Dennis found joy in collecting unique tobacco pipes, old clocks, and pocket watches—especially the broken ones. His true excitement came from breathing new life into an antique grandfather clock or restoring an old, forgotten pocket watch to working order. Twenty-nine years ago, Dennis met and married his loving wife, Shawna Bell, with whom he built a life filled with love and companionship. He is survived by Shawna of McCune, KS; his children, Michelle Mills and husband Kevin of Stratford, OK, Quinton Ray Bell of OK, Sarah McCormick and husband Steve of Sapulpa, OK, Jennifer Doolittle and husband Joe of Redding, CA; his grandchildren, Justin and Glyson Nixon of Stratford, OK, Tara Finch of Dover, AR and Dalton Bell of McAlister, OK, Mason and Parker McCormick of Sapulpa, OK, Patty Matson of Redding, CA and Jo Doolittle of Bozeman, MT; his great-grandchildren, Maysen, Joe, Linkin, Jordan, and Xander Nixon of Stratford, OK, Chevy, Oden, and Syrus Finch of Dover, AR, Danny and Lainey Matson of Redding, CA; and his brother, Donald Bell of Tulsa, OK. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Bobby and Mary Bell, and his grandparents, Don and Opal Ricketts and Silas and Sarah Bell. Dennis will be remembered for his music, his craftsmanship, and the warmth he brought to those around him. His legacy lives on in the melodies he played, the machines he fixed, and the family and friends he cherished.

Dennis C. Bell

January 20, 1953 - March 3, 2025