Terry Lee Bell (nee Clark), 77, of O'Fallon, IL, born on Monday, November 3, 1947, in Plainwell, MI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 26, 2025, in Belleville, IL.
Terry was a 1966 graduate of Otsego High School in Otsego, MI. Living briefly in Texas, Massachusetts, Michigan, and settling in Illinois. Having many careers she most enjoyed working at the BX on Scott Air Force Base where she made lifelong friends. She loved being with her family and friends, sharing stories, making trips to visit them in Michigan and Florida, luncheons with "the ladies from work", and friends she made at Cambridge House of O'Fallon. Always up for a steak at Texas Road House, steak and eggs at Denny's, buffet at Dragon Palace, egg drop soup at Saigon, all you can eat crab legs, and gas station nachos. Remembered for her chicken and dumplings and cabbage rolls, stale popcorn and Cheeto puffs, Passion perfume, and watching The Drew Carey Show, game shows and the Hallmark Channel. Going to the movies, seeing musicals with her grandchildren, and watching her grandchildren perform in their high school performances always brought joy and laughter. Funny without even trying, willing to give you the shirt off her back or money for food, a love of angels, cardinals, hummingbirds and anything pink.
Terry was preceded in death by her parents, James L. and Bonnie L. Clark Sr. (nee McKibbin); brother-in-law, John W. Jones.
Left to cherish Terry's memory are her children, Denise L. Zitnik of O'Fallon, IL, and Eric J. (Kelly) Bell of Richmond Heights, MO; siblings, James "Jimmy" L. (Geri) Clark of Otsego, MI, and Deborah "Debbie" J. Jones of Allegan, MI; grandchildren, Danielle M. and Dylan S. Zitnik of O'Fallon, IL.
Memorials may be made in Terry's honor to the
American Diabetes Association; https://diabetes.org/. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.schildknechtfh.com.
A memorial visitation will take place on Monday, November 10, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Schildknecht Funeral Home; 301 S. Lincoln Ave., O'Fallon, IL 62269.
Celebration of Life to take place in Otsego, MI in 2026.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home.