Donald L. Bell
May 17, 1925 – March 11, 2019
Bell, Donald L. 5/17/1925 – 3/11/2019 Donald L. Bell was born in Toledo, Ohio on May 17 1925 the son of Lloyd and Sarah (Burrell) Bell. He died on March 11, 2019 at the age of 93. He married Alice Ingwersen in Toledo, Ohio on October 25, 1947 and they had a family of three children, David, Barbara, and Richard. Alice died in 1995 after 47 years of marriage and Don later married Geraldine Ferguson on May 2, 1998. Don was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve for 17 years and served on active duty during WWII and the Korean War. He was a former member of Court Street United Methodist Church and member of First Presbyterian Church in Flint. Don retired from A.C. Spark Plug in 1985 after 28 years, was a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio, and a member of the SAE for over 50 years. He was active in the Masonic Fraternity serving as Master of Grand Blanc Lodge #571 F & AM, High Priest of Washington Chapter #15 RAM, Master of Flint Council #56 RSM, Commander of Genesee Valley Commandery #15, Governor of Flint York Rite College #5, Knight of the Purple Cross of the Sovereign College of North America, Member of Priory #22 Knights of the York Cross of Honor, Member of St Martin Conclave Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine, and a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Don was very active in Boy Scouts. He was a scout in Toledo, Ohio, a Scoutmaster of Troop 238 B.S.A in Grand Blanc and also served as Camping chairman of the Tall Pine Council Arrowhead District. His Hobby was Family Genealogy. He published several books and was a member of the Flint Genealogical Society. He was also a volunteer at the Flint Public Library for 14 years. Don was a loving father, step-father, grandfather, step-grandfather, great grandfather, step-great grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend to all. He always put family and friends first and foremost. He was an engineer who was extremely organized, thought he could fix anything, and most generally he could. Don was preceded by his first wife, Alice; daughter, Barbara Shaw; grand-daughter, Carolyn; sister, Nancy Gear; and brother-in-law, Richard Gear. He is survived by wife, Geraldine Bell; sons: David (Kathy) Bell, and Richard Bell; step-children: Richard (Nancy) Butler and Reen (Ron) Calery; sister, Janet (Denny) McElroy; grand-children: Traci (Pat) Kita, Adam (Christy) Bell, Kristi (Ben) Henry, and Kate (Andy Low) Shaw; step-grandchildren: Sean Butler, Courtney Butler, Kristin (Justin) Calery-Corbiere, Jennifer Calery, and Amy (Justin) Frazier; 7 great-grandchildren; and 6 step-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm with Masonic Memorial Service at 7pm at Hill Funeral Home- 11723 S. Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, Michigan. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 11am with one hour of visitation prior to the service at Hill Funeral Home.
Published in Flint Journal on March 12, 2019