John E Bell

John Edward Bell was born April 10, 1938, during an ice storm at home to George E. Bell and Gladys J. (Sinkey) Bell of Sigourney, Iowa. He attended grade school in a one-room rural schoolhouse, and he was the oldest of eight children. He met and married Hazel Fern Horst on December 25, 1955, on his grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. This union adopted a boy in August of 1959, Robert Lee. After attending college to be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, John was called to serve in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, and California. John and Hazel then moved to Marion, Ohio, arriving on December 31,1980, where John managed a livestock premix plant for the next 20 years. After retiring from the plant, he drove a school bus for over 11 years. John and Hazel were involved with the Mount Vernon Avenue Church of Christ in Marion, Ohio, from the time they arrived until the Lord called him home on Sunday, September 8, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, parents, grandparents, sisters Nancy Payne and Georgia Jean Porter, and son Robert Bell. John is survived by his siblings Russell (Mary) Bell, Merry Avery, Lonnie (Pauline) Bell, George (Terri) Bell, and Penny Melzarek, daughter-in-law Carmen Bell and granddaughter Amber (Tim) White. John enjoyed gardening and flowers. He loved his sports, including football, Nascar racing, tractor pulling and his favorite teams the Iowa Hawkeyes and Ohio State Buckeyes. He also enjoyed studying and teaching the word of God; serving the local church was his and Hazel’s passion. They both enjoyed teaching Bible School, singing in the choir, helping with youth groups, and singing in nursing homes. John will be greatly missed by family, friends, and the church.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday October 14, 2024, at 11 am at the MVA Church of Christ, 947 Mount Vernon Avenue Marion, OH 43302. Minister Jeff Bush will be officiating. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Vernon Avenue Church of Christ in Marion, Ohio.