Frances Goettner Bell

Frances Goettner Bell was born October 24, 1922 in Kingsville, Maryland. She was a lifelong resident of Kingsville and was the daughter of Frank C. and Pauline (nee Schroeder) Goettner. In 1947 she was married to Jarrett Standiford Bell who was deceased in May 1978. She was preceded in death by her identical twin sister, Doris Goettner Muths and a brother, Frank J. Goettner.

Frances is survived by a daughter, Janet Hanna and husband John of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania as well as three grandchildren Aimee Jobes and husband Jeremy of Ankeny, Iowa, Jeffrey Hanna of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and Kara Bush and husband Lucas of Hooppole, Illinois. In addition, she is survived by one great grandchild, Isabella Bush, also of Hooppole, Illinois.

Frances was born in the Kingsville Inn which was owned by her grandfather Frank J. Goettner. The building is still in use today and is the location of the E.F. Lassahn Funeral Home. Henry Ford once purchased a stagecoach “The Kearsarge” from Mr. Goettner. At a later date the coach was transported back to Kingsville for use in a parade. It remains on display today at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

During World War II Mrs. Bell was employed by the Glenn L. Martin Company. She was subsequently employed at the Army Chemical Center in Edgewood and served as secretary to several generals.

A lifelong interest was maintained in Maryland Republican politics. Frances was active in the campaigns of her childhood friend C. Stanley Blair, who served as Maryland Secretary of State, Chief of Staff to Vice President Agnew, and ultimately appointed to a federal judgeship. In addition, she participated in the campaigns of Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley and Delegate Ken Holt, a close personal friend.

Frances was thought to be the oldest living resident of Kingsville and was frequently consulted on the history of the Kingsville and Upper Falls. She was an avid collector of antiques, particularly vintage glassware and items related to eastern shore waterfowl.

She was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kingsville where she served as Sunday School teacher and a member of the choir. Other past memberships included the Bush River Yacht Club, Maryland Golf & Country Club, of which she was a charter member, the Kingsville Garden Club, the Inner Wheel of the Kingsville Rotary Club, the Alpha Ro Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, and the Friends of Jerusalem Mill, where she was a founding member.

Friends may call on Thursday, January 9, 2013, at the E.F. Lassahn Funeral Home in Kingsville from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 10, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kingsville. Interment will be at the Salem U.M. Church cemetery in Upper Falls.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in memory of Frances to either St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Friends of Jerusalem Mill.