Robert “Bob” Howard Bethell

Robert Howard Bob Bethell, 82, of Pomona, Kansas passed away Saturday, January 25, 2014 at Brookside Retirement Community. Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be held at Dengel & Son Mortuary, 2:00 P.M., Friday, January 31, 2014. Family will meet with friends following the service. Bob was born on Tuesday, June 30, 1931 in Pomona, the son of Ralph and Callie (Grimes) Bethell. Bob was a near lifelong resident of Pomona, living also in Ottawa and Baldwin City. He graduated from Pomona High School with the class of 1949. Bob was united in marriage with Patricia Earlene Blair in May 1953. They later divorced. He married Mary Lou White in October 1959. They later divorced. He married Dorothy Mae Brecheisen in May 1979. They later divorced. Survivors include his three children, Jim Phillips and wife Liz of Lawrence, Glenna Guerrero of Topeka, and Sandra Abel and husband Dave of Carbondale; eight grandchildren, Jeff, Chris, Jeni and Adam Phillips, Robin and Brian Lutz, and Dalton and Garrett Abel; nine great grandchildren; sister, Betty Lou Bethell of Kearney, Nebraska; and sister-in-law, Shirley Bethell-Reynolds of Pomona. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Richard “Dick” Bethell. Bob was a heavy equipment operator and involved with many road and bridge projects in Kansas, the Kansas City area, Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma, including Pomona Dam, Clinton Parkway and Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant. Bob served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1956. He was stationed in Germany and Spain, serving as a supply clerk, attaining the rank of SP4. He was a member of the National Rifle Association. An avid outdoorsman, Bob also collected guns, knives and antiques. The family suggests memorial contributions to Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. An online Guest Book is available at www.dengelmortuary.com.