Gary Bell

Gary P. Bell, 76, of Chatsworth, Ill., passed away at 6:05 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth with Pastor Ed Bunt officiating. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018 at Cowan Cemetery in Lowndes, Mo. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Gary was born on June 11, 1941 in Hiram, Mo. a son of John B. and Mary A. (Hedrick) Bell. He was married to Lana Orwig.

He is survived by his daughter: Dana Bell of Pontiac, Ill.; his brothers: Jim Bell of Normal, Ill., Darrell Bell of Chatsworth, Larry Bell of Forrest, Ill., and Jerry Bell of Advance, Mo.; his sisters: Shirley Durham, Sue Kurtenbach, and Glenda Faye Baker all of Chatsworth. He was preceded in death by his parents, and four sisters: Verna Humphrey, Ruth Cantrell, Brenda Bell and Peggy Higgins; two brothers: Gene and Ivan Bell.

Gary served his country in the United States Army.

Gary was a truck driver all his life. He retired several years ago and decided to return and had been working for Trainor Grain. He enjoyed boating and being on the road.

Gary was a loving dad, brother, and uncle who will be greatly missed.

This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to the family at calvertmemorial.com.

Rita Gesell

Rita F. Gesell, 83, of Bloomington, passed away at 12:39 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018 at Heartland Healthcare in Normal.

Her funeral will be at Noon, Monday, Jan. 15, 2018 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon, Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Rita was born Nov. 9, 1935 in Bloomington, the daughter of James F. and Mary Clifford Beauford. She married Leonard C. Gesell on Aug. 12, 1961 in Bloomington. He preceded her in death on July 1, 2008.

Survivors include two daughters, Betsy Bloodworth of Paxton and Stella Gesell of Rantoul; three sons, Thomas (Leslie) Gesell of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Leonard F. Gesell and Ralph J. Gesell, both of Bloomington; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.

Rita graduated from Bloomington High School and was a member of Epiphany Catholic Church. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.

Amanda Tanner

Amanda Gail Tanner, 43, of Bloomington died peacefully in her sleep at her home on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. An automobile accident in 2010 left her partially disabled and broken hearted from the loss of her daughter, Cassidy. She never fully recovered.

Her memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington with the Rev. Kurt Flora officiating. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family c/o Rachel Duffield for Amanda’s son, Wyatt.

Amanda was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on Oct. 25, 1974, the daughter of Terry M. and Cynthia S. McHenry Tanner. She was a beautiful baby with a full head of black hair and according to her maternal grandmother, you could hear the buttons popping off of her daddy’s shirt right through the phone line when he called to announce her arrival!

Amanda is survived by her son, Wyatt Broers, her parents, Terry and Cindy Tanner, her brother, Matthew Tanner, her sister, Rachel (Jason) Duffield and her two nephews, Liam and Lachlan Duffield.

Amanda was born into a military family and lived in Hawaii, California, Virginia, and Illinois during her childhood. As a young girl she enjoyed many adventures caving with her Girl Scout Troup. She graduated from Normal Community High School where she participated in marching band and chorus. Amanda married Brian Broers and they were blessed with Cassidy Morgan and Wyatt Seth Broers.

Amanda was very proud of Cassidy and Wyatt and spent many hours coaching softball or cheering from the sidelines at their sporting events. Even with her limited mobility she took pride in recently completed a 5K walk, to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Amanda had a wacky sense of humor, liked to make others laugh, and was able to laugh at herself. She loved nothing more than curling up on the couch with Wyatt at her side to watch a movie. She was loved.

“Life is a tunnel, not a cave, keep walking and you will find the light again.” – Atticus

And so it is our fervent prayer that you have!

To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.