Donald Bernard Schell

1923 - 2017

Donald Bernard Schell, retired owner of Schell Co. Inc. died Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 7:50 in the morning. He was 94 years old. Mr. Schell was born in Kenner, Louisiana and has been a resident of New Orleans for 82 years. He attended Alceé Fortier High School and graduated from Tulane University. He was a member of the Tulane baseball team in the years of 1942, 1943, and 1947. He was a loyal supporter of the Tulane Engineering School and Tulane Athletics; He served for 10 years on the T-Club Board of Directors, and a proud member of the Tulane Baseball Ground Krewe. He was a Lieutenant J.G. in the Navy in World War II, serving aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Buchanan as an engineering officer during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He had the honor of serving aboard one of the first ships to enter Tokyo Bay after the dropping of the atomic bomb. Later, transporting General Douglas McArthur to the U.S.S. Missouri for the signing of the peace treaty. He was a member of the National Electrical Mfg. Representative Association, Regional Vice President, and past president of the local chapter, a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, and LA Engineers Society. He was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish since 1955, serving as a Eucharistic minister, lector, parish councilmember and recipient of the Order of St. Louis medal. He was preceded in death by his sweetheart of 64 years, Marie Virginia Harris Schell. He is survived by six sons: Donald Bernard Jr., Michael Thomas, Clayton Henry, Harris Charles (Sandra), Craig Christopher (Deborah), and William Joseph, as well as four daughters: Deborah Macaluso (Richard), Anne Hopkins, Helen Gerig and Robin Pick (Daniel). 18 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren who loved their Papa dearly. Visitation (10 AM- 12PM) followed by the Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, September 25, 2017 at ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH, 631 State St., New Orleans, LA. Followed by a private burial. In lieu of flowers, please donate to any charity of your choice. To view and sign the guestbook, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com.