Michael Bell

1956 - 2021

SHINGLEHOUSE - Michael G. "Mike" Bell, 65, of Shinglehouse, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday (Oct. 6, 2021) in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, N.Y.
Born on Tuesday, May 8, 1956, in Olean, N.Y., he was a son of Ralph E. Sr. and Patricia A. Chastain Bell. On Nov. 1, 1980, in Shinglehouse, he married Beth E. Austin, who survives.
Mike was a graduate of Oswayo Valley High School, Class of 1974, in Shinglehouse. He was also a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering. He was employed at Dresser Industries in Olean, leaving to enter the US Navy, where he served from 1975 to 1979 on the Admiral's staff. After his service to his country, Mike was again employed at Dresser Industries. He was laid off from that position, he then went to college full-time while working at the former Quality Markets in Olean. After graduation from college, he was employed by Control Chief Corporation in Bradford and later was employed by the former Henkle Company in Olean. Mike then went back to Dresser, now Siemans Energy, as a product design engineer, where he was employed until the time of his passing.
Mike was a member of the NRA. He was a trustee of the Evergreen Cemetery Association in Ceres. He liked to hunt and tinker in his woodworking shop. He also enjoyed watching and playing volleyball. His greatest love was spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter, Harper.
Surviving in addition to his wife are a son, Eli G. (Stephanie) Bell of Ceres; a granddaughter, Harper Raven Bell; two brothers, Ed (Nani) Bell of Shinglehouse and Douglas (Kim) Bell of Billings, Mont.; a sister, Patsy (Preston) Colbey of Shinglehouse; his mother-in-law, Sara Jane Austin of Shinglehouse; a brother-in-law, Marty (Robin) Austin of Shinglehouse; three sisters-in-law, Becky Austin, Brenda (Joe) Neal, and Betsy Angood, all of Shinglehouse; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
In addition to his parents, Mike was predeceased by his father-in-law, Wayne Austin.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at the Bell Family Pavilion, 216 Chapman Brook, Shinglehouse, with Ed Bell, Mike's brother, officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Ceres.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Evergreen Cemetery Association, c/o Jocelyn Sherwood, 2565 Kings Run Road, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; to the Bell Run Cemetery Association, c/o Becky Austin, 308 Austin Road, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; or to the Shinglehouse Volunteer Ambulance Association, PO Box 98, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.
Mike's family entrusted his care and cremation arrangements to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.
To express condolences or share a fond memory of Mike, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.