John Russell Bell, age 95 of Richwood died early Tuesday morning, February 14, 2012 at Marion General Hospital.
He was born April 15, 1916 in Leesburg Township to the late R. Fay and Caroline (Laird) Bell.
On March 25, 1944 he married the former Lydia Woleslagel in the home of her parents outside of Prospect and she died January 9, 2010. He was also preceded in death by an infant son, Charles Richard Bell, a brother, Richard Bell and a brother-in-law, Truce Clime Woleslagel .
A graduate of Richwood High School, he was a life-long farmer and fisherman. John owned a motor home and loved to travel all over the nation, and attended President Reagan’s inauguration in 1981.
A 75-year member of Mt. Carmel Lodge #303 Free and Accepted Masons in Richwood, he was very active in Freemasonry and its satellite organizations, having been Past Master of the lodge in 1944 and 1994, a 65-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Mary Chapter 9 and the former Mt. Carmel Chapter 42 in Richwood where he and his wife, Lydia served as Worthy Matron and Patron. John was High Priest of Marysville Chapter of Royal Arch Masons #89 in 1951 and Illustrious Master of Marysville Council of Royal and Select Masons #98 in 1954. He was a 60-year member of Valley of Columbus Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite where he had served as Ambassador, a 60-year member of Marion Commandry #36 and 50-year member of Aladdin Shrine.
John was a Claibourne Township trustee for 12 years and was Past Chairman of the Union County Trustees and Clerks. He was a Republican Central Committeeman for over 50 years, Chairman of the Union County Republican Party, Claibourne Grange, former State Grange Deputy and Youth Chairman, member of Claibourne United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School for 12 years. He served on the Richwood Fair Board for 40 years, served on the Auxiliary Sheriff Department in Union County and was a past member of the Union County Board of Elections.
He is survived by five children, John Ed (Linda) Bell, Richwood; Bonnie Bell, Richwood; Caroline (Bill) Lucas, Prospect; Joe Bell, Richwood, Mary (Rich Cappell) Snider, Marysville; seven grandchildren, John Willis Jr., Miranda (Jason) Swartz, Dannette Lucas, Andrea (Chris) Zeno, Dawn (Coury) Lucas-Carlson, Jameison (Holly) Snider, Katherine (Russell) Weymouth; four great-grandchildren, Caitlyn Laney, Heather Swartz, Joel Zeno and Henri Zeno.
Services will be Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 2:30 PM in the Mt. Carmel Lodge, 131 North Franklin Street, Richwood, beginning with an Order of the Eastern Star Service conducted by Mary Chapter 9, followed by a Masonic Service conducted by Mt. Carmel Lodge #303, and concluding with a Celebration of Life officiated by Pastor Steve Brown. Friends may call beginning at noon on Saturday at the lodge prior to the services. Private family graveside services will take place at a later date in the Claibourne Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to the 32nd degree Masonic Learning Center, 290 Cramer Creek Court, Dublin, OH 43017.
Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com
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