Lester H. Bell

Lester H. Bell, 81, of 212 Highland Park Drive ,Cooperstown passed away to his eternal reward at 11:55 AM Sunday, May 25, 2014 at UPMC- Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. Born February 16, 1933 in Wayne Township, Lester was the son of the late Ellis and Savilla Mae (Hollabaugh) Bell. Lester proudly served his country in The Marines during the Korean War era. On March 9, 1956, he married Kathleen Hall, who preceded him in death on January 1, 2003.On May 6, 2005, he married Clara M. Yarnell-Smith, who survives.Lester was employed at Joy Mining Machinery for 39 years as a machinist, retiring February, 1995.He was a member of the Cooperstown Evangelistic Tabernacle. A faithful servant of Christ, he found joy in serving others through countless handyman projects, all completed with meticulous care and craftsman's skill.An avid hunter and fisherman, he especially enjoyed sharing his love for the outdoors with his children and grandchildren.In addition to his wife, Clara , Lester is survived by his sons, Gregory C. Bell and his wife, Amy, of Franklin, Rev. Jonathan Bell and his wife, Julie, of Franklin,; his daughter, Beth Survance and her husband, Kevin, of Simpsonville, S.C; his step-sons, Daniel Smith and his wife, Cindy, of Maryland, Donald Smith of Erie, and David Smith and his wife, Susan, of Erie; his brother, Phillip Bell and his wife, Charlotte, of Utica; and his sisters, Marie Nahay of Meadville, Kathryn McCaul of Jacksonville, FL, Ila Wright of Cochranton, and Doris Bouchald of Jacksonville, FL; and his sister-in-law, Elwilda Bell of Cochranton.He is additionally survived by his grandchildren, Ryan Bell, Jarrod Bell, Hannah Survance, Sarah Survance, Clayton Survance, Logan Survance, Jennette Bell, Jeremy Bell, Joshua Bell; nine step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; his brothers, Wayne Bell, Howard Bell, Paul Bell, and Russell Bell; his brother-in-laws, George Nahay and Rex McCaul; and his sister-in-laws, Ruby Bell, Ruth Bell and Eileen Bell.Friends will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, on Thursday, May 29th, 2014, from 4:00PM - 8:00PM. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, May 30th, 2014 at Cooperstown Evangelistic Tabernacle.Military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard. Interment will be in Cooperstown Cemetery .To send online condolences, flowers, cards, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.