John 'Ben' Bell John Benson "Ben" Bell of Sebastian, Florida, formerly of St. Ignace, Arlington, Massachusetts, and Ocean Park, Maine, died April 12, 2006, at the age of 76 in Sebastian.

He was born May 1, 1929, in St. Ignace to Kirk Leroy Bell and Helen Margaret (nee Benson) Bell. Mr. Bell, known locally as Ben, was a graduate of LaSalle High School in the class of 1947. He worked as a livestock hand at Krostue's Dairy and also will be remembered for his prowess in high school athletics and later as a member of the St. Ignace Merchants basketball team.

Mr. Bell sailed as a seaman on the Great Lakes and served in the United States Navy as a Boatswains Mate, Second Class aboard the USS Salem during the Korean War. He worked in construction and precision equipment businesses in the Boston area until his retirement.

Mr. Bell will be sorely missed and always faced life's adversities with courage and humor, friends said, and his "happy thoughts" philosophy lightened many a dark moment.

He was a devoted husband to Claire Elaine (nee Hardin) Bell, who preceded him in death, and to Margaret Seaver (nee Hayes) Bell. In addition to his wife, Margaret, he is survived by his children, Elaine, John, Francis, and Kathryn Dutton, all of Maine, and stepchildren Margaret Andrews and Maureen Heiligmann, both of New Hampshire, Robert of Florida, and Joseph and Michael Hayes, both of Massachusetts. He is survived by eight grandchildren and four stepgrandchildren. He is further survived by a stepsister, Joyce M. Halitsky of St. Ignace, a step-aunt, Joan F. Vallier of St. Ignace, a stepbrother, Gerald W. Bell of Indialantic, Florida, a stepsister, Roberta C. (nee Bell) Paquin of Mackinaw City, close cousins Art Hopperstead of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Helen (nee Hopperstead) Wynns of Exeter, Missouri, and Carilon (nee Hopperstead) Carr of Grand Rapids.

Mr. Bell was preceded in death by his mother, Helen M. Bell, a younger brother, Kirk Leroy Bell Jr., his stepmother, Bernice A. Bell, his father, Kirk Leroy "Roy" Bell, a stepbrother, John W. Stauffer, and his first wife, Claire.

A memorial Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph's Church in Laconia, New Hampshire Thursday, April 27. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Ignace United Methodist Church or Boston College High School, 150 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester, Massachusetts 02125.