Paul J. Bell

Paul Jeffrey Bell “Pale Rider”, was born March 27, 1956 to Theodore R. Bell Jr. and C. Jeanne (Arnold) Bell in Sparta, WI.

He grew up in the Sparta and surrounding areas, attending West Beaver Creek, Ward School and Sparta schools. In 1973 he joined the US Army and spent two years in Stuttgart, Germany as a persian missile mechanic. In 1979 he fell in love with the love of his life Diane Tenner and they married in 1980. Together, they had two sons, Andrew Paul in 1981 and Jesse James in 1984. He and Diane later divorced. In 1993 he met Michelle (Olbranz) Benitez, they had a son, Tyler Graham in 1995.

After returning from the Army, Paul was employed at Webster Lumber. He also worked at Ft. McCoy in maintenance, IMMA, Roads & Grounds, and several years at Randall’s Tire in Sparta. He raced at the Sparta/Tomah Speedway in the 80’s and the West Salem Speedway in the late 80’s. Paul loved the Packers and fishing for bullheads. He will be sadly missed by all his family and close friends.

Paul is survived by his sons, Andrew, of Sparta and Tyler, of Milwaukee; four brothers, John “JB” (Debbie) Bell; Kenneth Bell, both of Sparta; Timothy (Amy) Bell, of Cashton; and Gerrod Bell, of Waupun; his three sisters, Nancy Bell, of Sparta, Kathryn Bell, of Galesville, and Jodeane (Dennis) Diercks, of Sparta. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, Jesse Bell; his parents, Theodore and C. Jeanne; ex-wife, Diane Tenner; nephews, Jeremy and Travis Diercks; and great nephews, Tanner Diercks and Quintin VanBeek.

An Eagle Member and memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 25, at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta. Immediately following the service will be military honors provided by VFW Post 2112 at the funeral home.

Visitation for Paul will be at the funeral home on Monday, from 11 a.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered to the Bell family at www.schanhoferfh.com.

Paul’s brothers and sisters wish to extend a special thank you to their brother Ken who took care of him for the last 16 years.

The family respectfully asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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