Robert N. Bell, 88, of Rexburg, passed away Monday, September 1, 2014, in Rexburg of natural causes. He was born September 7, 1925, in Rexburg, to William V. and Isabelle Newby Bell.

He attended schools in Rexburg, graduating from Madison High School in 1944. A week after graduation he began his service in the US Army during World War II, where he served in the European-African Middle Eastern Campaigns in the 110th Infantry Company B in Patton's 3rd Army in Germany; participating in the Battle of the Bulge, and the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.

He married Oleta Labrum on November 6, 1946, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple and they had seven children. They settled in Rexburg where he joined his father in the Bell's Blacksmith Shop. Bob became the owner-operator of Bell's Blacksmith and Ornamental Iron Works in Rexburg for many years. His work can be seen throughout the valley as ornamental railings, gates, circular staircases etc. Bell's Blacksmith was one of the earliest businesses in Rexburg. Oleta passed away on April 23, 1992. On April 9, 1994, he married Sharon L. Brown in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings over the years.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Sharon of Rexburg; children, Christine (Jim) Detwiler of Aiken, South Carolina, Randy (Joann) Bell of Mountain Green, Utah, Teresa Parnell of Ammon, Bobbe (George) Howell of Idaho Falls, Colleen Schneider of Idaho Falls, Janis (Nick) Allison of Rexburg; step-children, Michelle (John) Weaver of North Logan, Utah, Don (ReNae) Brown of Wenatchee, Washington, Rob (Liesl) Brown of LaFayette, California, Janet Stephenson of Rigby, Jennifer (Reggie) Alexander of Idaho Falls; 33 grandchildren; 15 step-grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Oleta, a brother, a sister, a daughter Cathryn, grandson Quinn Butler and great-granddaughter Lindsey Barker.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, at the old Rexburg 2nd Ward building, 170 West 1st South, with Bishop Sean Tippetts officiating. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and Saturday from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. at the church prior to services. Burial will be in the Rexburg Cemetery.