Raymond J. Bell

Raymond John Bell, asleep in Jesus at age 91, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2013 at the home of his daughter in Weldon Spring, MO. He was born July 17, 1921 in Bete Gris, MI, and has been a Libertyville resident for the past 50 years. He was baptized to be a child of God, kept in his baptismal faith by Christ, and confirmed in the Finnish Lutheran Church. As a child Ray moved with his family to Waukegan where he graduated high school. In early 1942, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, Third Marine Division, and courageously served during WWII in the South Pacific where he witnessed both flag raisings on Iwo Jima and received a Letter of Commendation for his heroism in Guam. Following the war, he married the love of his life, Verna Cleveland, and moved to Libertyville where he and Verna raised two children. He developed a passion for automobiles from his father; Ray was the sole manager of Lake County Auto Parts in Libertyville for twenty-five years and the vice president of National Automotive Distributors in Mundelein. He was formerly a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Libertyville before moving to the St. Louis area and joining Village Lutheran Church in Ladue. He is survived by his two children; Susan (Stan) Hammond of Weldon Spring, MO, and Rev. Raymond (Kris) Bell of Cadott, WI, five grandchildren; Stephanie and Lauren Hammond of Washington, DC, Megan Hammond of Weldon Spring, MO, and Kylie and Luke Bell of Cadott, WI, his sister Mildred Burba, brother Robert (Delores) Bell, many nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Verna Bell in 1984, his sister Helen, and by his brothers Paul, Norman, and Charles. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 8, at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave. (Rte. 176, one block west of Milwaukee Ave.) in Libertyville. The Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at the funeral home with Pastor Kevin Golden of Village Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Libertyville. Memorial Contributions can be made to Village Lutheran Church, 9237 Clayton Rd., Ladue, MO 63124. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And it is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). For info: (847) 362-3009 or please sign the guestbook: www.burnettdane.com.

Raymond J. Bell

July 17, 1921 - July 1, 2013