Joanne Christine (Etzel) Bell

    Joanne Christine Etzel Bell, age 90 of Shippenville, celebrated Christmas Day with her Heavenly Father, as she left this earth on December 25, 2025.

     Born February 4, 1935 in Leeper, she was the 5th child of 9 (7 being girls) born to the late Anna Christina Wagner Etzel and Berlie Raymond Etzel, Sr.

     She was one day from what would have been her 73rd wedding anniversary, to her late husband and the love of her life, William Edgar Bell, whom she married on December 26, 1952. 

     Joanne was a graduate of the Ashland Township High School in Clarion County and was a lifetime member of the Grace Evangelical Congregational Church in Ninevah. 

     She started playing the piano for church at a very young age, even though she only had 2 years of lessons.  Joanne played piano and organ for everyone and everybody; solos, duets, trios, choirs, weddings, funerals, musicals and VBS for over 60 years. Music was one of the great loves of her life.

     But, Joanne’s most significant and important role in life was caring for her family.  She has pinched pennies, sewed, gardened, canned, cooked, baked (she made the best pies ever!), picked berries, crocheted and made rugs.  She spent many years working at Bud Smith’s store, not only working hard, but ministering to them and everyone else in the community.

     Joanne and Bill loved to travel, visiting every state in the Continental U.S. and made a special trip to Italy.  They shared their love of the Lord everywhere they went.  They also loved hunting, cutting wood, gardening, singing together and spending time with family.

     Survivors include 2 daughters: Christine Heilman and husband, Ellis, of Shippenville, and Pamela Pritchard and husband, Mark, of Cranberry; son, Raymond Bell and wife, Sandi, of Shippenville; daughter-in-law, Nancy Bell of Shippenville; 27 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren and 2 great great granddaughters.

     Joanne is also survived by 1 sister, 1 brother, 3 brothers-in-law and 4 sisters-in-law.

    In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Bell; 2 grandsons, 5 sisters, 1 brother, 2 sisters-in-law and 7 brothers-in-law.

     A private family funeral service will be held at the Grace Evangelical Congregational Church in Ninevah. Reverend John Friedlund, pastor of the church, will officiate.

     Interment will take place in the Starr Cemetery in Ninevah.

     Arrangements are under the direction of the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc. of Knox.

     Online condolences may be sent to Joanne’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joanne Christine (Etzel) Bell, please visit our floral store.