1959-2026
Laura Jo Bell, 66, of Sidney, passed away peacefully at 4:23 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio on November 25, 1959, a daughter of the late Melvin Ray Allen and Roberta Jo (Reeder) Copus.
On June 14, 1980, Laura married Shane Douglas Bell in Quincy, Ohio and he survives, along with their two daughters, Jessica (Travis) Clarkson, and Sarah (David) Bell-Hess; four grandchildren, Gabriel Clarkson, Eve Clarkson, Theodore Hess, and Cora Hess; three brothers, Tony Allen, Karl Allen, and Darren (Vickie) Allen; stepbrother, Leonard W. Copus; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Laura was preceded in death by stepfather, Leonard Copus; beloved in-laws, Ronald and Marguerite Bell; her brother, Michael Allen; sister-in-law, Terrie Allen; and stepbrothers, James and Daniel Copus.
Laura served as the Director of Education at Mary Rutan Hospital before becoming manager of the telemetry floor at Wilson Memorial Hospital. She went on to the role of Charge Nurse of Pediatric and Oncology at Upper Valley Medical Center. In her leisure time, Laura enjoyed sewing, cooking, crafting, gardening, traveling, and most especially spending time with her grandchildren and the “Grandma Crew”.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Quincy Methodist Church, 111 South Street in Quincy, where Pastor Michael Mitchell will officiate a funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Quincy, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made, in Laura’s memory, to the Trustees of the Quincy Methodist Church.
SANFORD FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, DeGraff is honored to care for Laura’s family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or kind message with the family at www.sanfordfuneralhome.com.
