John Howard Bell, age 93, passed away at his home in Cardinal, on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017.

John was born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He had a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot and served during WWII and the Korean War. After his retirement from the Navy, John and his wife Marnie moved to Mathews County in 1975.

John loved fishing, golfing, and volunteering in the community he loved.  He was a member of the Church of Francis de Sales where he served as a volunteer administrator for 15 years and he was a life-time member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a volunteer for 15 years with the Mathews Rescue Squad and served as the Chairman of the Board for six years.

John was preceded in death by his parents, several siblings, and his daughter, Barbara Ann Bell.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Marnie Bell; son, John H. Bell II (Ann); brother, Don Bell (Kitty); grandchildren, Audrey Smith (Brian) and David Bell (Jessica), and eight great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, at the Church of Francis de Sales in Mathews. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service beginning at 10 o’clock. Interment will be in Sioux Falls.

Memorial donations can be made to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Road, Hudgins, Va. 23076 or to the Church of Francis de Sales, 176 Lovers Lane, Mathews, Va. 23109.

Faulkner Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, is assisting the Bell family with arrangements.