Jacob Melchoir Schell
June 20, 1917 - Jan. 28, 2008

Jacob Melchoir Schell, 90, of Sterling, died Monday evening, Jan. 28, 2008, in Sterling. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Rosary Vigil will follow at 5 p.m. Sunday. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 4, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, with the Rev. Robert L. Wedow officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery.

Jacob was born June 20, 1917, to Jacob and Rosa Mary (Sewald) Schell in Missoula, Mont.

He married Elizabeth Ann Haberkorn April 25, 1939, at St. Anthony's in Sterling. They lived and farmed in Sterling, until they moved to Holyoke in 1976, where he continued to farm in Lamar, Neb. He retired from farming in 1981 and returned to Sterling.

Mr. Schell enjoyed playing cards, watching baseball, his love for farming, and mostly, visiting with his family and friends. The special times in his life included being awarded one of the top 10 sugar beet producers for five years during his farming career.

Mr. Schell is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of Sterling; daughters, Janice Bellendir of Sterling, Elizabeth Jean Vance and husband Burt of Highlands Ranch, Kathleen Schell of Centennial, Theresa Burgess and husband Dick of Silverdale, Wash., and Tammy Glaeser and husband Chris of Castle Rock; one son, Jacob of Sterling; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Mary Ellen; son-in-law, Philip John Bellendir; six sisters, Gertrude Schell Sewald, Opal Schell Gasner, Veronica Schell Kaiser, Magdelena Schell Graber, Barbara Schell Schmitt, Rosa Pauline Schell Schmitt; and one brother, John Schell.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Anthony parking lot fund, school, or a charity of your choice.