Robert L. Bell, age 68, of Amboy, died Monday, Aug. 3, 2009, in his home.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, beginning with a 9:30 prayer service in the Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy followed by a 10 a.m., Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Amboy with the Rev. Carl Beekman, pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors by the Amboy American Legion followed at St. Patrick Cemetery in Maytown. Visitation was on Thursday from 4 until 8 p.m., with the rosary recited at 7:30 p.m., in the funeral home.

Mr. Bell was born July 16, 1941, in Clifton, Tenn., the son of James and Marie (Dicus) Bell. He married Christine Mead July 10, 1987, in Sycamore.

Survivors include his wife of Amboy; children Andy (Kari) Bell of Amboy, Eric Bell of Ashton, Vincent Bell of Byron, Cindy Bell of Dixon and Megen (Tyson) Drew of Ottawa; nine grandchildren, two sisters, Elizabeth (Charles) Holloway of Adamsville, Tenn., and Frances (Joda) Paulk of Florence, Ala.; one brother, Carl (Ruthann) Borden of Adamsville, Tenn.; and his dog Fred.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, David Bell, George Dewayne Borden, and Carroll Borden.

He had been employed as a machinist at Caterpillar in Aurora for 30 years and had also been a pilot for Philko Aviation in Aurora.

He was a veteran of the Navy from 1958 to 1964 and was a member of UAW Local 145.

A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Rock River Valley.

Condolences may be sent online at www.thejonesfh.com.