Joan Lenore Bell, 95, of Bellefontaine, passed away at 7:14 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Logan Acres Care Center in Bellefontaine, Ohio. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 6, 1931, to the late Ernest Klingelhofer and Pearl I. (Hulling) Wiggans.

On August 30, 1952, Joan married Paul Lowell Bell, and he preceded her in death on September 23, 2005. She was also preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Cynthia Ann Bell; a brother, Wallace “Wally” Klingelhofer; and three step siblings.

Joan is survived by her four children, Darryl Kevin Bell, David J. (Gloria Hilliard) Bell, Paula (Aaron) Lintz, and Lisa (Dr. Tom Minahan) Bell; 16 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; 13 great great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Karol Klingelhofer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A 1949 Quincy High School graduate, Joan was baptized as one of Jehovah’s witnesses on July 14, 1973. She was a homemaker and enjoyed hiking, painting, reading, bird watching, puzzles, and attending festivals, including the Malabar Farm Festival. She was especially fond of her dog “Nellie”.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses Disaster Relief Fund, 1801 Wright Street, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311 or online at jw.org.

SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, DEGRAFF is honored to care for Joan’s family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or kind message with the family at www.sanfordfuneralhome.com.