Kenneth Ulrich Bell

Kenneth (Ken / Kenny) Bell, age 82, died Thursday, July 27, 2023. He was born December 27, 1940, in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Bertram Ulrich Bell and Helen (Klinger) Bell. He is survived by wife, Carol (Rehm); son, Eric (Ashley) Bell, and daughter, Lori (Gary) Chandler.

He met Carol, the love of his life, 65 years ago while sneaking over the fence into the Crawford County Fair. They had a 3-year courtship before traveling to Sparta, North Carolina to elope on July 8, 1961.

Ken was a member of the Masonic Lodge 139 and was very active in Aladdin Shrine of Columbus. With the Shrine, Ken was on the Advisory Trustee Board, and a member of the Ambassador club and past member of the Aladdin Drum & Bugle Corp. He was also a past President of the Bucyrus Shrine Fraternal Organization. He was very proud to be a Shriner and active member of the Bucyrus Shrine Yellow Roadsters (those cute little cars you see in the holiday parades). He loved riding in the parades and putting smiles on children’s faces.

He retired in 2007 from the Timken Roller Bearing plant in Bucyrus, Ohio after 36 years of service.

Ken attended high school in Nevada and Port Clinton, Ohio, with business courses in Columbus. In his teenage years, Ken spent time as a professional rodeo bull rider in Florida. He also generously volunteered as a fireman at the Holmes Township Volunteer Fire department for over 20 years.

Ken enjoyed fishing, traveling, boating, family gatherings, playing cards, and gardening.

Ken was a loving, caring husband and father and spent time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as much as possible. A true handyman, there weren’t many things he couldn’t fix, and he enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren.

Ken was blessed with four grandchildren, Joshua (Alicia) Miller, Sierra Bell, Brittney Bell, and Seth Myers. Also, three great grandchildren, Klaudia Efaw, Alecia Miller, and Bentley Bell.

Ken was preceded in death by brother, Curtis Bell. Curt’s wife, Sally, and children Greg, Doug, Cheryl, and David Bell all survive.

Ken is also survived by sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Kerdolff, Shirley Rehm, Susan (Jim) Oberlander and many nieces and nephews and wonderful neighbors and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial contributions to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or the Bucyrus Shrine Club.

All services for Ken will take place at Wise Funeral Service on Saturday, August 5. Masonic services will begin at 9:45 am; his family will receive friends from 10-11:55 am and his funeral will start at 12:00 pm with Pastor Craig Mooch officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery and he will be escorted from the funeral home to the cemetery by his fellow Bucyrus Shriner Yellow Roadster friends.

His family specifically requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made payable to either Shriners Hospitals for Children or the Bucyrus Shrine Club. These gifts will be accepted through the funeral home and expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on his tribute wall.