Merle R. Bell, Jr.

Merle R. Bell, Jr. 

Merle R. Bell, Jr., 69, of Annville, passed away with family by his side on Friday, May 27, 2016 at the M.S. Hershey Medical Center.  He was born Monday, January 20, 1947 in Hershey to the late Merle R. Bell, Sr. and Eva Mae (Rhine) Eshleman.  He is survived by his loving wife of almost 49 years, Beverly Ilene (Bachman) Bell.  

He proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.  Merle retired from the H.B. Reese Candy Company with 43 years in the Receiving Department.  He enjoyed the outdoors, taking pleasure in hunting, fishing, and gardening.  Merle kept his hands busy woodworking. Most importantly he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother.  

He is survived by 3 children, Steven R. Bell and wife Shelby, Sandra I. Binner and husband Michael, and Daniel L. Bell and wife Taryn; 5 grandchildren, Mitchell and Maculley Bell, Julia and Thomas Binner, and Brendan Bell; 3 siblings, Kenneth Bell and wife Sherry, Ronald Bell, and Alan Bell and wife Brenda; and 2 faithful k9 companions, Max and Murphy.  

A memorial service will be held at noon on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078 with Pastor Scott Cooper officiating.  Family and friends are invited for visitation from 11 AM until time of the service.  Burial with full military honors will take place at 10 AM at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, University Development & Alumni Relations, 600 Centerview Drive, A120, PO Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033.  Please make checks payable to Penn State University with a notation on memo line “to benefit _______” and select the Cardiology Department, Cancer Institute, or Children’s Hospital.

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