Gilbert George Bell

Gilbert "Gil" George Bell, Sr. of Saginaw, Michigan

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at Covenant HealthCare - Cooper. He was 82 years old. Gilbert G. Bell was born on New Year's Eve, December 31, 1939, on the family farm in Saginaw, Michigan, the 11th of 15 children born to the late Alfred and Junella (Wenzel) Bell. He was a proud 1958 graduate of St. Charles High School. Gilbert met the love of his life, Edna Mae Gary, while at a school dance. They dated, became high school sweethearts, fell in love, and were united in marriage on February 27, 1960; she survives him. As a young man, Gilbert worked at the Boat Works in St. Charles. He later worked as a pipe insulator for Local 47 for over 17 years of loyal and dedicated service. The career he loved the most was working as a hostler, an equine caretaker, with Anheuser-Busch, where he took excellent care of and traveled throughout the country with the Clydesdales. The role of his lifetime was to be a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Gilbert also worked for the Saginaw County Sherriff's Posse, which led him to meet both Elvis and Reba McIntyre. He enjoyed working on tractors and participating in tractor pulls with his brothers. Gilbert's little piece of heaven was hunting for a week in the Upper Peninsula. He will forever be remembered for his thoughtful and kind heart, for making friends wherever he went, for selflessly and generously helping others, and for truly living a remarkable life filled with many beautiful memories and stories.

Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Edna Bell of Saginaw; three sons and one daughter: Gilbert (Amie) Bell Jr. of Galesburg, IL; Debra (Jim) Bell of Blue River, OR; Scott (Iryna) Bell of Jacksonville, FL; Brett Bell of West Des Moines, IA; three grandchildren: Alec Adam and Zoey Bell; sisters: Patricia Wesener, Helen Luce, Margaret Hauman, Betty Seaver; Brothers: Martin (Barb) Bell, Benjamin (Beth Ann) Bell; sister-in-law, Nancy Bell; brother-in-law, Thomas Aspin. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his siblings: Alfred A. Bell, Chester (Rose) Bell, Francis (Florence) Bell, Catherine Aspin, Mary (Ronald) Locke, Marvel (Donald) Orr, Gladys (Ed) Fischer, Thomas Bell; brothers-in-law, Robert Kushion, William Wesener, Clair Luce, Jerry Hauman, and Gerald Seaver.

Honoring Gilbert's wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 28, 2022, at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 201 N. Miller Road. Pastor Julie Bailey will officiate. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the funeral home on Monday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to a charity of the donor's choice. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home or through www.casefuneralhome.com.