If you Googled the phrase “strong work ethic,” Irvin Bell’s picture might pop up.
For the majority of his 84 years, the Yancy Mills native was working hard at something – in his earlier life at farm work, then as a bricklayer and then in maintenance work at Missouri S&T. In his retirement years, he continued to give his best efforts to a variety of service organizations in the area.
The Phelps County Dream Center, which provides food monthly to hundreds of families, was one fortunate recipient of his service for more than a decade, so we take time to honor Irvin’s life and how he served his community until his death on May 18, 2022.
Irvin was in his 70s when he started helping with the monthly food distributions, but he could outwork the majority of those younger than him.
Before there was a dedicated food facility to work in (up until 2020), much of the distribution efforts were done outdoors, and Irvin’s domain was helping with the freezer items, which was an outside job, no matter what the weather.
Gerald Dowdy, Dream Center volunteer and board member, remembers how Irvin would be waiting on him in the mornings of the distributions to make sure the freezer food was available and distributed correctly. He was often one of the last people to leave, four or five hours later.
Dream Center board member and volunteer coordinator Carol Creighton misses his dedication to the cause. “Irvin was always there,” she said. “He found his own replacement if he was unable to help at any given time. He sure made things easier for me. Utterly dependable and willing!”
His wife of 59½ years, Roberta, said that his acquaintance with hard work came from his upbringing on a farm. He was always busy helping someone. After open heart surgery in 2012, he was chomping at the bit to get back to serving, and she had a hard time getting him to rest.
Dave Hagni, Dream Center volunteer and board member, said Irvin often asked him through the years, “When are you gonna build that new building?” Clearly, he had a vision for the future! We are so glad that he lived to see the facility in operation and got to serve there before passing from this life. Thank you, Irvin, for helping your community!
For the majority of his 84 years, the Yancy Mills native was working hard at something – in his earlier life at farm work, then as a bricklayer and then in maintenance work at Missouri S&T. In his retirement years, he continued to give his best efforts to a variety of service organizations in the area.
The Phelps County Dream Center, which provides food monthly to hundreds of families, was one fortunate recipient of his service for more than a decade, so we take time to honor Irvin’s life and how he served his community until his death on May 18, 2022.
Irvin was in his 70s when he started helping with the monthly food distributions, but he could outwork the majority of those younger than him.
Before there was a dedicated food facility to work in (up until 2020), much of the distribution efforts were done outdoors, and Irvin’s domain was helping with the freezer items, which was an outside job, no matter what the weather.
Gerald Dowdy, Dream Center volunteer and board member, remembers how Irvin would be waiting on him in the mornings of the distributions to make sure the freezer food was available and distributed correctly. He was often one of the last people to leave, four or five hours later.
Dream Center board member and volunteer coordinator Carol Creighton misses his dedication to the cause. “Irvin was always there,” she said. “He found his own replacement if he was unable to help at any given time. He sure made things easier for me. Utterly dependable and willing!”
His wife of 59½ years, Roberta, said that his acquaintance with hard work came from his upbringing on a farm. He was always busy helping someone. After open heart surgery in 2012, he was chomping at the bit to get back to serving, and she had a hard time getting him to rest.
Dave Hagni, Dream Center volunteer and board member, said Irvin often asked him through the years, “When are you gonna build that new building?” Clearly, he had a vision for the future! We are so glad that he lived to see the facility in operation and got to serve there before passing from this life. Thank you, Irvin, for helping your community!
