Michael E. Bell

4/19/1940 — 4/16/2026

Service Date: 5/23/2026
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April 19, 1940 – April 16, 2026

Michael E. Bell was born on April 19, 1940, to James Thomas Bell and Mary Elizabeth Teter Bell. Mike grew up in Edmond, Okla., and graduated from Edmond High School in 1956. In 1963, he married Patricia Sue Rufener, and together they welcomed four children: Tony, Shelley (married to Patrick Crumb), Jackie (who passed away on Feb. 24, 2017) and Ed (married to Erin Burke). Patty passed away in a tragic airplane accident in 1979.

Mike served in the United States Air Force. After his service, he graduated from Central State University in Edmond, and attended medical school at the University of Oklahoma from 1964 to 1968. While there, he developed an intense love for Oklahoma Sooners football, which he shared with his son, Tony. He then moved to Spokane, and completed his residency at Sacred Heart Hospital, where his father had completed his residency in 1936.

After completing his residency, Mike moved to Lewiston, where he practiced radiology. From 1972 to 2002, he worked at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston and Tri-State Memorial Hospital in Clarkston, and he also covered hospitals in Cottonwood, Grangeville and Orofino. After retiring, Mike worked briefly as a locum at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla.

On May 1, 1982, Mike married Linda Kae DePew. Her children, Brad DePew (married to Kristen Snow) and Brett DePew, then joined the Bell family. Mike cherished his six children and his nine grandchildren: Maxon, Lauren, Patti, Connor, Stegner, Halle, Olivia, Nick and Henry.

Mike and Linda enjoyed traveling together, including hiking and biking trips through Europe with friends. They visited England, Italy, France, Egypt, Jordan, China, Russia, Slavonia and Croatia. For more than 30 years, Mike participated in an annual fishing-gang trip on the Lochsa River. He didn’t fish much, but he enjoyed spending time with his buddies — drinking beer, playing cards and cooking camp meals.

Mike valued friendship and community. He loved to laugh, tell stories and appreciated friendly competition. He enjoyed having breakfast twice a week with his breakfast club, and once a month, he met with his book club friends. He attended regular meetings with his Phi Chi group and was active in the Lewiston community. He donated to Lewis-Clark State College, the University of Idaho and the Boys and Girls Club of the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. Mike was a founding member and board member of Twin River National Bank in Lewiston and Clarkston. He also served on the board of directors at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Please join us in honoring a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Mike’s funeral will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 23. Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home, 920 21st Ave., Lewiston, followed by a celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley.