Russell Bell

C. Russell Bell, 88, of Cape Girardeau departed this earth to enter his heavenly home Wednesday, July 20, 2005, at Southeast Missouri Hospital, surrounded by all of his loving family.

He was born Aug. 23, 1916, at Chaffee, Mo., son of William Franklin and Nora Florence Redfern Bell. He and Vanita H. Logel were married Sept. 26, 1946, in Cape Girardeau. She died Aug. 11, 1995.

Mr. Bell was a clerk with the U.S. Postal Service 25 years. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church and VFW Post 3838.

He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945 and held the rank of staff sergeant. He was in the 3rd Battalion of the 358th Infantry and participated in the D-Day invasion, and the campaigns of Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, Normandy and Northern France.

He is survived by three sons, William (Marilyn) Bell, Chuck Bell, and Michael (Donna) Bell, all of Cape Girardeau; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a brother and a sister.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. today. A vigil will be held at 7.

Funeral Mass will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Vincent de Paul Church, with the Rev. Derek Swanson officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by VFW Post 3838.