NEW YORK — Jess A. Bell Sr., 80, chairman emeritus of The Bonne Bell Co., died on Sept. 4 at Lakewood Hospital in Lakewood, Ohio, due to complications from a heart problem. His funeral is being held today at St. Christopher Church in Rocky River, a suburb of Lakewood, with interment following at Lakewood Park Cemetery. The company will be closed today in his honor. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Juliana; his sister, Bonne Bell Eckert; his daughter, Julie; his three sons, James, Jess Jr. and Joe, and 14 grandchildren.
The family-owned company was founded by his father, Jesse G. Bell, in the Twenties. Bell took the reins as president in 1959. Under his leadership, the company grew rapidly, especially in the Seventies when Bonne Bell Lip Smackers achieved cultural icon status as the first flavored lip item on the market.
Despite many offers throughout his tenure, Bell refused to sell the company and remained committed to keeping it private and family run. The “lover of life” with intense blue eyes is credited with beginning the movement for employing seniors, “long before Wal-Mart had their greeters,” said a company publicist. He was also known for his passion for fitness, as he was an avid marathon runner, as well as a member of the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness. Jess “Buddy” Bell Jr. replaced him as chief executive officer in 1999.