Ray K. Bell

Born September 2, 1920 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Raymond H. and Eleanor (Kopp) Bell, Ray was born in German Village, graduated from South High School and attended OSU prior to enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps, serving four years during WWII; he was stationed in Germany and Belgium. It was during a three day pass that Ray married his high school sweet heart Betty (Morrison) Bell, who survives. Together in 73 years of marriage, Ray was a steadfast family man, a devoted husband, and loving father to his two daughters Suzanne (Stephen) Rounds and Kim (Greg) Baumann. Ray was a lifelong member of St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church and the New England Lodge #4 F&AM the Senior Shriners. He was Past President of the Chanters, Past Director of the Jesters, Past Chaplain and Ambassador of the Shriners and a member of the Scottish Rite and choir. Ray had a joke and a song for everyone and enjoyed singing in barber shop quartets including Chanters Quartet, the Singing Sheriffs and the Post Marks, the latter of which consisted of fellow postal workers; Ray worked for the US Postal Service where he began as a letter carrier and retired as supervisor of the Whitehall branch and also Past President of the National Association of Letter Carriers, which afforded him and Betty numerous travel opportunities. Ray was an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan, loved golf and was proud of his hole in one.

Additional surviving family include grandchildren Sean (Michelle) Rounds, Scott (Chelle) Rounds, Shad (Vanessa) Rounds, Kara (Chris) Day, Kristen Shirock, John (Stefanie) Pappas, Erin (Jim) Pawlecki and Mallory (Adam) Beane; great grandchildren Mackenzie, Jadan, Carlee, Alexander, Isabella, Nicholas, Amelia, Tyler, Bradly, Grace, Hannah, Kristen, Alaya, Jacob, Aniah, Jaidyn, Gia, Regan and Adlee as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sister Charlene Bell.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 5, 2016, from 2-4 and 6-8PM at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna where a funeral service will be held Saturday at 12PM with Celebrant Andrew Hoover officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Carmel Hospice, 1144 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215 or St. John Evangelical Protestant Church, 59 E. Mound St., Columbus 43215.