Thelma Harlan-Bell

Bell, Thelma Harlan, 100, passed away on March 30, 2013 in her home. Memorial Service is 11:00 A.M., Friday, April 19, 2013 at Downing Lahey East Chapel. She was born to Walter W. and Mable (Billings) Bishop in Guthrie, OK on November 14, 1912, the first of five children. The family moved to Arkansas City, KS in 1918 where she attended school. She married Church S. Harlan on June 5, 1930 and started their family of three children. The family moved to Wichita in 1944. Mr. Harlan passed away in June, 1960. Mrs. Bell married Everett “Ding” Bell on January 13, 1983. They enjoyed traveling until his death in 1984. In her lifetime, Mrs. Bell was president of Wichita City Council PTA, Past President of Air Capital Active People, a member of Friendship Force and active in Community Theatre. Mrs. Bell worked for the Internal Revenue Service for 27 years and upon retirement traveled to 33 countries and all 50 states. Mrs. Bell was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Churchill Harlan; second husband, Everett E. Bell; daughter, Janice Lamb; grandson, Billy Lamb; brothers, Walter W. Bishop, Clarence R. Bishop; sisters, Arlene Mathiasmeier and Zella Hill. She is survived by son, David L. (Kay) Harlan, Prescott, AZ and daughter Mary Kay (George) Gebhart-Avila, Wichita, KS; step-daughter, Linda Gebert, Wichita, KS. She has six grandchildren; Rebecca (Craig) Melsoni, Derby, Rise (Steve) Busby Camarllo, CA, Patricia (Gene) Taylor, Wichita, Michael (Partner Diane Haskins) Lamb, Apache Junction, AZ, Eric (Susannah) Asheville, NC, Cory L (Sue) Gebhart, Wichita. She has seven great-grandchildren, several step-grandchild, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She had a great love for family and friends. If she took you for her friend, you remained a friend for life. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with KSDS, Inc., 124 W. 7th Street, Washington, KS 66968, a training center for service dogs and to Amedisys Hospice Care, 250 W. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67202