Judge Lois BellLois Arlene Bell, 49, of Winchester, passed away Saturday afternoon, July 2, 2011, at her home. She was born July 4, 1961, in Savanna, the daughter of the late Roger W. and Grace Schaible Bell. Lois graduated from United Township High School in East Moline in 1979 and obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1982. She then attended the University of Illinois College of Law obtaining her Juris Doctorate in May 1985. She was admitted to practice law and engaged in private practice of law from 1985 until 2002 in Winchester, primarily as Bell & Mann Law Offices with Richard E. Mann. While in practice she represented many individuals, banks, municipalities and other districts. In November 2002, Lois was elected Resident Circuit Court Judge for Scott County, a position she continued to hold. As Judge she presided over cases in Scott, Greene, Morgan, Jersey, Macoupin and Sangamon Counties. She was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, ABA and PAD, and was a supported of Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation. She attended Lake Presbyterian Church in Osage Beach, Mo. Lois enjoyed traveling, boating on the Illinois river and Lake of the Ozarks, golfing, swimming, cooking, photography, gardening, reading and computers. Surviving is her brother, Mark (wife, Mary) Bell of Elkhorn, Wis.; and her sister, Barbara (husband, Willy) Duncan of Cordova; nieces, Ellyn (Josh) Andrews, Amberly Bell, Anna Grace (Tony) Mejia and Arlene Smith; and nephews, Andrew Henry and Alex Henry. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 6, at the Winchester City Cemetery. Friends may call on Wednesday from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Coonrod Funeral Home in Winchester. Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Winchester EMS. Condolences may be left for the family at www.airsman-hires.com.
