Kermit Bell
Batchtown |
Kermit Wayne Bell lived a full life for 96 years and passed away on Friday November 1, 2024.
He was born on March 20, 1928, in Batchtown, IL, the son of Elbie and Minnie Bell, the youngest of five brothers. He graduated from high school in Hardin, IL and enlisted in the Army soon after. In late June of 1948, he was accepted as a Cadet at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point after spending seven months at the prep school at Stewart Field. He initially earned this appointment under the allotment given to Regular Army enlisted men on a competitive basis as opposed to congressional appointment. He is the first and only Calhoun native to graduate from West Point. Just before leaving the Academy, he married Marianne Burgin in June of 1952 at a ceremony at the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Chapel at West Point. Together they lived in Japan and Germany and traveled extensively. He is a three-war veteran: WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He retired in Nov 1970 as a highly decorated Lieutenant Colonel. At age 42, he went back to school to become a Doctor of Optometry. He moved back to Batchtown to live on the family farm in the house he was born in. He eventually grew to have offices in Hardin, Jerseyville and Carrolton. He loved serving his community and always looked to help wherever needed. He helped provide a new swimming pool, tennis courts, Bell’s Gym, new medical center, three emergency helipads, AEDs, and many other community projects large and small in his beloved Calhoun County. He helped many individuals as well in many ways.
He was preceded in death by his son Jim (Debbie). He is survived by his son Jeff (Tina) and grandchildren, Katherine Bell Carreon (Domingo), Patrick Bell, Braedon Bell and Christian Bell, and his great grandchildren, Charlotte, Domingo and Ethan Carreon.
Visitation will be Sunday, November 10, 2024, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Gress, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Hardin, IL.
The funeral mass will be the next morning, November 11, 2024, at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Batchtown, IL.
Graveside service will follow with lunch at the Fill Inn afterward.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Bell’s Gym.
Online condolences can be given at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.
Gress, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home
