Rev. Robert Kenton Fell

The Rev. Robert Kenton Fell, 86, of Middletown, husband of Shirley (Graichen) Fell, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the Middlesex Hospital Hospice in Middletown. Born on July 6, 1922, in Rochelle, IL, he was the son of the late Edgar Andrew Fell and Helen (Cobb) Fell.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children: Daniel Fell and wife Nancy Monter of Carmel, IN; Martha Jolkovski and husband Michael of Falls Church, VA; a stepson Kenneth Cilley of Middletown; Peter Fell and wife Laurie Pratte of Middletown; and stepson Kevin Cilley of West Haven; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife Kathryn Chamberlin Fell and his brother David A. Fell, M.D.

Rev. Fell received a B.A. from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA and a B.D. and an M.A. from Yale Divinity School. He was an elected member of Delta of Iowa Phi Beta Kappa. In 1947, Rev. Fell was ordained to the ministry of the United Methodist Church, and is a member of the New York Annual Conference. He served pastorates in Rhinebeck and Milan NY, Sutherlin and Wilbur, OR; San Jose, Ill.; Hamden and Clinton, and in The United Churches of Durham, a Congregational-Methodist federation. In 1989, he entered the retired relationship in the United Methodist Church. Upon his retirement, after an incumbency of 24 years, The United Churches conferred upon him the status of Pastor Emeritus. At Durham, Rev. Fell founded the Crackerbox Theater for the youth of the community, and managed it for almost 20 years. He wrote the religious plays and directed their production, along with secular works. He was a Silver Star member of Durham Grange #57, a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge, San Jose, Ill., and chaplain of the Durham Volunteer Fire Department, and member and past president of Greater Middletown Visiting Nurse Association.

He will be remembered for his ministry, his wit, love of poetry, music and dogs, and fine woodworking.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 24 Old Church Street, Middletown with a reception following the service. A graveside service will be conducted at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to The Nature Conservancy, Connecticut Field Office, 55 High Street, Middletown, CT 06457 or the National Parkinson Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue / Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494 (www.parkinson.org). Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.doolittlefune ralservice.com. The Doolittle Funeral Home, 14 Old Church Street, Middletown is handling the arrangements.