Wayne Bell

Wayne Bell, Presbyterian pastor for over 30 years, died in his Slippery Rock home surrounded by family on Thursday September 3, 2009. He was 59. Wayne was born on April 8, 1950 in McKeesport, PA to Kathleen and Alexander Bell of Irwin. He was a graduate of Norwin High School and Alliance College. He received his Masters of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and his Doctorate of Ministry from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. For Wayne, life was a journey. His love for sailing led him to Canada's North Channel, the Western Florida Keys, Loch Ness, the Virgin Islands, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the Chesapeake Bay. Locally he sailed For Who the Bells Toil with his family on Lake Arthur for 25 years. He was Captain of the Lake Arthur Sailing Club. He also served as President of the Trailer/Sailor Association and co-wrote several articles about sailing adventures for Sailing magazine with his wife, Debbie. He was an avid bicyclist and Rails to Trails supporter. Aside from riding many of the local trails Wayne has also ridden in The Galapagos Islands and Bishop Auckland, England, and Edinburgh, Scotland. His favorite journey was the trail between Washington DC and Pittsburgh. He shared the peace and serenity of this route with his wife, father, his son Jason, his daughter Rachel, son-in-law Troy, and sister Sandy on many overnight camping trips. His true love was missions, especially providing housing for families in need. He tirelessly worked organizing trips and funding projects in Pittsburgh, Nicaragua, Southern Florida, Suffolk, VA, and Slidell, LA. Although a central theme to life was a sense of adventure, his fondest memories were in his own back yard with family and friends. As a member of Beaver-Butler Presbytery, he served on the Committee on Ministry, Christian Education Committee, Planning Committee, and Permanent Judicial Commission. Wayne was currently serving as Pastor of the West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church, West Sunbury, PA. He also served as Area Minister for Beaver-Butler Presbytery and Shenago Presbytery, serving many churches. He previously served churches in Bellaire, Ohio and Kenova, West Virginia. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Debbie, whom he married July 29, 1972 and son Jason of Slippery Rock, his daughter and son-in-Law Rachel and Troy Painter of Shady Side, MD, his granddaughters Sierra Bell of SR and Alexandra (Lexi) Painter of Shady Side, MD, his sister Sandra Sargo of Somerset, mother-in-law, Dora Michael of Tarentum, brother-in-law and sister-in-law David and Donna Michael of Sarver, and family friend, Jenny Armen of Monroeville. He also is survived by several nieces and nephews: Michael Sargo of Somerset, Alexis Sargo of Austin, TX, Lisa and Brian Weiland, and their son Drake of Mt. Chestnut and Jeff Michael of Tarentum. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the "Bell Memorial Mission Fund" c/o the West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church, 215 E Church St., PO Box 106, West Sunbury, PA 16061-3121. The contributions received will be used by our family to support projects in Nicaragua and the Gulf Coast region of Louisiana. Friends will be received at the Young Funeral Home, 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler, PA on Saturday, September 5 from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 PM. A memorial service will be held at the West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 6, 2009 at 4 PM with Rev. Lee Dreyer of White Oak Springs Presbyterian Church, Butler and Rev. Eric E. Dennis of Linway United Presbyterian Church, East McKeesport, PA officiating. Information and condolences at www.youngfuneralhomes.com

Wayne Bell

April 8, 1950 - September 3, 2009