Trueman Owen Bell Jr., 91, of Pierceton, Ind., passed away at 12:55 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, 2014, at Millers Merry Manor in Warsaw, Ind.
He was born on July 22, 1923, in Fort Wayne, Ind., to Trueman Owen and Lela Merle (Barger) Bell Sr. He graduated in 1941 from Ossian High School, was a United States Marine veteran and served during WW II and Korea. He was married on June 27, 1947, in Fort Wayne, to Mary Emma Jenkins who preceded him in death after 55 years of marriage. He then married on May 21, 2005, in North Webster, to Regina Louise ‘Jean’ (Sredinsky) Friend. She survives. He formerly worked at General Electric in Fort Wayne and Elkhart General Hospital in the finance departments. He moved to Pierceton (Barbee Lake) from South Bend in 1990.
He retired in 1966 from the military as a Gunnery Sergeant after serving 22 years received several Presidential Unit Citations during WW II and on May 29, 2013 he was taken to Washington, D.C. on the Honor Flight to see the WW II Monument. He was a member of United Methodist Church in North Webster; American Legion Post 253 in North Webster; and VFW Post 1342 in Syracuse. He was a life member of Masonic Lodge, where he was a 32nd Degree Mason; Scottish Rite, and Mizpah Shriners of Fort Wayne. He was a former member of Grace United Methodist Church in South Bend & Lakeland Kiwanis in North Webster.
He is survived by his wife; daughter: Cynthia Bell, Raleigh, N.C.; stepdaughter: Carol (Mike) Brown, San Tan Valley, Ariz.; stepson: Scott (Jeanette) Gray, McMurray, Pa.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded by his parents; first wife; son: Larry Bell.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Owen Family Funeral Home, SR 13 and CR 500N, North Webster. Funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, in the funeral home with Pastor Bob Dailey of the church officiating. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 29, at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 6600 Covington Rd., Fort Wayne. Military rites will follow by the Marines and North Webster American Legion.
Memorial bequest may be given to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.