John "Jack/Buck" Bell

He was born on May 29, 1935 in Fairbury, NE, the son of the late Harold C. and Esther (Scott) Bell. He married Sharron Lea Smith in Springfield on June 24, 1956 and she preceded him in death on April 27, 2011.

John retired as the Head Engineer for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Hotel in Springfield, and had previously worked for the State of Illinois, Auby and Associates, and Heritage House. John was very knowledgeable about machinery and would fix anything. He was always willing to help others. He volunteered at Midwest Mission Distribution Center, repairing sewing machines. He was a former member of Rochester Christian Church in Rochester, IL, and sang with the “Ambassadors”, through that church, but was most recently a very active member at West Side Christian Church in Springfield, where he actively participated in the TNT Bible Class and the Wednesday morning Men’s Bible Study. He also sang in the Faithful Men chorus. He had also previously served as a volunteer firefighter in Sherman, IL.

He is survived by his 2 children, Sherri (husband Tim) Talbert, and Kevin (wife Diane) Bell, both of Chatham, IL; 3 grandchildren, Jessica Talbert, Megan (husband Eric) Grewing, and Scott (wife Brittney) Snider; 2 great-grandchildren, J.D. Snider and Henley Grewing; 3 siblings, Beverly (husband Dave) Pearson of Matherville, IL, Vicki (husband John) Wakefield of Tennessee, and Timothy (wife Kathy) Bell of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews.

Services are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield, where visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 from 4 to 7 pm. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 at 10 am at the funeral home, with Gary Winkelman officiating. A private interment at Chatham Cemetery will take place at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Chatham Fire Department, #1 Fireman’s Sq, Chatham, IL 62629, or to Forever Home Feline Ranch.

Please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.