N8MGW, James E. "Ed" Bell Jr., 92, of Mingo Junction, Ohio, died Saturday, July 16, 2011, at Life Line Hospital in Wintersville, Ohio.
He was born March 8, 1919, in Mingo Junction, Ohio, a son of the late James E. Bell Sr. and Mary Voitka Bell.
He was a 31-year veteran of the Mingo Junction Police Department serving as Sergeant for five years and 19 years as Lieutenant, a former 2nd Ward Councilman for six years, a member of the Mingo Junction Fire Department for eight years, 14 years in the Ohio State Aux. Patrol with the rank of Lieutenant, a graduate of Mingo High School class of 1937, a member of the F.O.P. and American Federation of Police, a member of the American Legion Post 351, past secretary of Tri-State Law Enforcement Officers Association, a graduate of Non Comm. Officers Leadership Courses USAF Air University, and attended courses at Marshall University, West Liberty State College and the College of Steubenville, dealing with Police Science and Administration of Human Behavior and relations. He also served a total of 26 years in the Air Force, four years active duty in WWII and 22 years Air Force Reserve, obtaining the rank of Master Sergeant.
Ed held the amateur call of N8MGW and was an active member and President of the Steubenville-Weirton Amateur Radio CLub, SWARC (Steubenville, Ohio). He was the former ARES Emergency Coordinator for Jefferson County (Ohio). Ed was very active in EMCOMM work, and chatted with friends regularly on both HF and VHF. He was a regular on all the SWARC nets. Ed's love of technology and gadgets was exceptional for a man of his age, and he always delighted in having, learning, and using the latest gadget or Amateur Radio device.
Ed is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Margaret E. Matyas Bell; a nephew, Edward Kalifut and his wife Martha of Steubenville; three nephews; and a niece.
Ed's funeral was held at the Blaschalk-Wilson Funeral Home, 115 Union St., Mingo Junction, Ohio, on Wednesday, July 20th, 2011. He was buried the same day in Oakland Cemetery, Mingo Junction, Ohio, with full Military Graveside Services held by the American Legion.
N8MGW will be sadly missed by all the local Steubenville, Ohio, and Weirton, West Virginia, Hams. He was a friendly and kind Ham, and always promoted Amateur Radio and its emergency preparedness capabilities wherever he went. 73 to our beloved friend.
(Provided by Gregory Day, N8GD, with portions of the above taken from the obituary found in the "Steubenville Herald Star" newspaper, July 18, 2011)