Eunice Bell

Eunice Bell was a good natured woman with a generous spirit. Known as a loving and hardworking mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she lived her life graciously taking care of each and every member of her growing family. Eunice leaves behind a rich legacy of strong family values, compassion, and love. She will be deeply missed by many close friends and family.

Despite the Thirties being marked by tough economic times, the decade also saw an expansion of new technologies, especially in the fields of aviation, radio, and film. In 1936 for example, Kodachrome was invented and remained a steadfast leader in both cinematography and still photography for many years. In the same year, the Boulder Dam, later renamed the Hoover Dam was completed and Jesse Owens dominated the Berlin Olympics. Bringing great joy to their world, Fred and Gertrude (Newsome) Rister welcomed home their loving daughter, Eunice, born on March 9, 1936, in Greenup, Kentucky. Born the second child of five children, her birth brought much happiness to the family home.

Raised primarily in Portsmouth and Antwerp, Ohio, Eunice was no stranger to moving during her early years. Often having to leave a few of her numerous dolls behind whenever the family relocated, she learned the lesson of sacrifice. While still in Kentucky, she was known to roam the corn fields and play “movie star” with neighboring childhood friends. They often changed costumes right out in the corn fields together! Eunice excelled as a student, especially when it came to spelling. She lived a typical childhood of the times with her four siblings. Born to hardworking parents, her father a sawmill worker in Portsmouth and Casad Depot and her mother a homemaker, Eunice had her sights on meeting the man of her dreams and settling down! Harold Bell was just the person! He started her heart fluttering the first time she set eyes on him even though she had a boyfriend at the time! Soon after they married at the old Mount Calvary Lutheran Church on January 1, 1954. Throughout their years together, she and Harold welcomed three wonderful children into their loving home. As a mother, there simply wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her children. With an old school philosophy on discipline, she taught them strong values. She was known to run a tidy household and iron while watching her daily soap operas. Married more than sixty-three years, Eunice and Harold enjoyed their role as parents and treasured their family time including a memorable trip to Gettysburg when the kids were young.

As much as Eunice enjoyed her years as a mother, she was delighted when grandchildren entered her life! She loved to attend any of their special events over the years and loved each and every one of them! Eunice was a shopping extraordinaire who often showered her family with special gifts at the holidays. Not only did she know how to spoil the family, they savored her delicious apple dumplings during the holiday season. No one could quite perfect her recipe over the years! Known to keep herself busy and active in her many different interests over the years, Eunice was never one to remain idle. After her retirement, she and Harold enjoyed years of traveling together. Blessed by abundance, they especially loved cruises to beautiful distant places such as the San Juan Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Mexico. When they weren’t traveling or attending events for their extended family, she remained active in her involvement with the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Ladies AID group. A woman of routine, after many years, Eunice still enjoyed watching her favorite soap operas, the Young and the Restless and Guiding Light.

A beautiful person through and through, Eunice’s life was lived to the fullest. Her legacy was service to others. Nothing brought her greater joy than to know that her life had purpose and meaning which she found through her selfless acts of giving. Her dedication and patience as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother will be fondly remembered for many years by all who knew and loved her.

Eunice Bell, 81, of Antwerp, Ohio, passed away at home Monday, July 10, 2017. Eunice worked at Sheller Globe for 30 years and was a member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church. She will be sadly missed by her husband, Harold, her children, Randy (Cindy) & Patricia (Dennis) all of Antwerp; grandchildren, Brandon of Paulding, Brock of San Francisco, Tracy (Randall) Eaton of Antwerp, Shane (Jennifer) Schomburg of Phoenix, Casey Schomburg of Minneapolis & Patrick (Alee) Schomburg of Ft Wayne; great-grandchildren Octaven (Ron) Craig, Heaven, Corbin, Austin & Teagen Eaton and Morrigan & Mark Schomburg. Also preceding her in death were her daughter, Penny; siblings, Robert, Dewey & Tyrone Rister & Stella Schomburg. Her funeral service is planned for 10 am on Friday, July 14th at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church of Antwerp, with viewing one hour prior. Viewing is also 2- 4 & 6-8 pm on Thursday, July 13th at Dooley Funeral Home, Antwerp. She will be laid to rest at Maumee Cemetery. Memorials made be made to CHP Hospice. Fond memories may be shared at www.dooleyfuneralhome.com

Eunice Bell, 81, of Antwerp, OH, passed away at home Monday, July 10, 2017. 

She was born in Greenup, KY on March 9, 1936 a daughter of the late Fred & Gertrude (Newsome) Rister. 

Eunice worked at Sheller Globe for 30 years and was a member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.

She will be sadly missed by her husband, Harold, whom she married January 1, 1954; children, Randy (Cindy) & Patricia (Dennis) all of Antwerp; grandchildren, Brandon of Paulding, Brock of San Francisco, Tracy (Randall) Eaton of Antwerp, Shane (Jennifer) Schomburg of Phoenix, Casey Schomburg of Minneapolis & Patrick (Alee) Schomburg of Ft Wayne; great grandchildren Octaven (Ron) Craig, Heaven, Corbin, Austin & Teagen Eaton and Morrigan & Mark Schomburg.

Also preceding her in death were her daughter, Penny; siblings, Robert, Dewey & Tyrone Rister & Stella Schomburg.

Her funeral service is 10 am on Friday, July 14th at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church of Antwerp, with viewing one hour prior.

Viewing is also 2- 4 & 6-8 pm on Thursday, July 13th at Dooley Funeral Home, Antwerp.

She will be laid to rest at Maumee Cemetery.

Memorials are to CHP Hospice.

Fond memories may be shared at www.dooleyfuneralhome.com