Marion E Bell

Marion Ellsworth Bell peacefully rejoined his Heavenly Father on Thursday May 26, 2016, with his bride of nearly 75 years by his side. Born in Ft. Wayne July 30, 1920 to C. Homer and Blanche (Rayl) Bell, Marion graduated from South Side High School in 1938, where he played varsity football and met Margaret Null, the love of his life. Marion and Margaret, or "M&M," were married on October 12, 1941 in Ft. Wayne. Marion is survived by Margaret and four children, Ray (Fran) Bell of Warrenton, Virginia; Roger (Marie) Bell of Ossian, Indiana; Don (Sue) Bell of LaGrange, Indiana and Janet (Joe) Weachock of Dallas, Texas. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Marion was stationed in Europe during WWII, where he served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps, earning several awards and decorations, as well as the nickname "Mario" from Allied Italian soldiers. After the war, he earned a degree in Business Administration from Indiana University. Before retiring in 1985, Marion built a career in sales and management, working for Beechnut Foods, Crosby Aeromarine, Wayne Pump Company, Flint & Walling, Inc., and Phillips Industries. In addition to Ft. Wayne, Marion and Margaret resided and established friendships in Kendallville, Ind., Leesburg, Fla., LaGrange, Ind., and at Heritage Pointe in Warren, Ind. The grandson of a United Brethren circuit rider and minister, Marion found his faith in Jesus Christ at 15, while attending a weeklong Methodist Youth Foundation rally. He and Margaret were active members of several United Methodist churches, including Faith UMC (formerly First EUB) in Ft. Wayne, where Marion served as a youth leader. They also attended Waynedale UMC, Morrison UMC in Leesburg, Trinity UMC in Kendallville, LaGrange First UMC, and Solid Rock UMC in Warren. Marion was a crossword puzzle master, a lifelong stamp collector, and a fan of college sports, particularly Hoosier basketball. He most enjoyed spending time with his family every summer at Oliver Lake, fishing in Olin Lake, snacking on Vanilla Wafers, working on a jigsaw puzzle, and telling jokes — usually around the dinner table, often with a straight face, and always with an unmistakable twinkle in his eye. As a youth growing up during the Great Depression, Marion helped support his family by working as a house painter. From then on, Marion loved working on home improvement painting projects, a pastime he enjoyed into his nineties. Marion was also an active member of the S.S.H.S. alumni organization and helped organize his 70th high school class reunion.

A memorial service for Marion will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday June 2, 2016 at the Applegate Chapel at Heritage Pointe, 801 Huntington Ave., Warren, Ind. Donations in Marion's memory should be given to Solid Rock United Methodist Church, P.O.Box 322,Warren, IN 46792. Arrangements By Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home.