Joseph Michael Bell

Joseph "Joe" Michael Bell, 48, of La Grande, died in Cheyenne County, Colorado on October 9, 2013 during his walk across the United States to educate anti-bullying in memory of his son Jadin Bell. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 2:00pm in the Gilbert Center at Eastern Oregon University. Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery. Loveland Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Joe was born on December 6, 1964 in Woodland, California to Robert and Marlene (Waasdorph) Bell. He lived in Anderson, Cottonwood and Redding California and then La Grande. Joe graduated from Anderson High School in California where he competed in football and wrestling. Later he attended Shasta Community College. After moving to La Grande, Joe was employed at Boise Cascade for 17 years where he was a Stock Rustler. Joe was first married to Noreen Kelly and then to Kim Love, both marriages ended in divorce. He later married Lola Lathrop. Joe enjoyed many outdoor activities. He especially loved to hunt, fish, boat, camp and go mushrooming. He also spent time writing songs. Joe promoted the foundation called Faces for Change, in memory of his son Jadin Bell, to bring awareness to bullying. In April 2013, Joe started out on his cross country walk, Joe's Walk for Change, to encourage anti-bullying and how to prevent it from happening. He lived life passionately. Joseph is survived by his father and stepmother Robert and Bonnie Bell of Vinita, Oklahoma; his wife Lola Lathrop of La Grande; his children Amber, Dustin and Joseph Bell; sister Tina Bell and her husband John Cagley of Imbler; sister Bobbi Jo Thale and her husband Bill of Vancouver, Washington; one grandchild and 4 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother Marlene Jean Waasdorph Bell and his son Jadin Bell. If you would like to view the memorial service of Joseph, please go to funeralrecording.com, click on the "Watch a Service" button and enter the Memorial ID Number 4159.