SHINGLEHOUSE - Ralph E. "Bud" Bell, 88, of Shinglehouse, passed away on Monday (March 25, 2013) in Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, after a short illness.

Born Dec. 2, 1924 in Wells Farmhouse, Bell Run, he was a son of Maynard W. and Etta I. Wells Bell. On June 10, 1950, in Olean, N.Y., he married Patricia Anna Chastain, who passed away on Dec. 14, 2012.

He was a graduate of Bolivar High School, Class of 1942. Mr. Bell served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theatre as a field lineman. He later attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

He was employed at the former Clark Brothers in Olean and retired in 1986 from Industrial Patterns in Bolivar, N.Y.

Mr. Bell was a charter member of the Bell Run Union Church, where he served in various capacities with the most recent being deacon emeritus. In his spare time, he enjoyed antiquing; and most importantly, spending time with his family.

Surviving are three sons, Ed (Nani) Bell, Michael G. (Beth) Bell, both of Shinglehouse, and Douglas F. (Kim) Bell of Lavina, Mont.; a daughter, Patricia L. "Patsy" (Preston) Colbey of Elizabethtown; 14 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister, Welda M. Bell of Shinglehouse; two brothers, Wilbur O. (Frances) Bell of Deep Creek, Md., and Philip S. (Bonnie) Bell of Bradford; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Mr. Bell was preceded in death by a brother, Maynard Bell; and a sister, Yvonne Worden.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 11 a.m. on June 8, at the Bell Run Union Church with the Rev. Chad Shaffer, pastor, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bell Run Union Church, 904 Taylor Brook Road, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; or to Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc., 2203 N. Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD 21244.

A fond memory of Ralph may be expressed at www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home. .

Published in The Bradford Era from March 26 to April 5, 2013