Burtis W. Bell

Services will be held at a later date in Kentucky.

Master Sergeant Burtis W. Bell, 88, of Collinsville, IL. passed away peacefully in his home, Saturday, June 4, 2022, with his family at his bedside.

Burtis was born April 22, 1934, to Harry Edgar and Mabel May Bell, in Evansville, Indiana. He married the love of his life, Marjorie Elmona Overbey on June 8, 1953, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church in Evansville, IN. He and his wife have spent the last eight years living in Collinsville after moving from Radcliff-Ft. Knox, KY.

Burtis retired as a Master Sergeant in the United States Army after serving his country during the Vietnam War and the Korean recovery. During his time in the military Burtis was stationed all over the United States, Germany, and Korea where he worked in training others to work on heavy machinery and tanks. In his retirement Burtis took up woodworking as a hobby building furniture, toys, and birdhouses.  He was a handyman who could fix anything and especially loved working on cars. He enjoyed spending time outdoors with his dog Buttercup, especially fishing, boating, and camping with his family at the Rough River Reservoir in Kentucky. Burtis was loving and compassionate, always willing to help others and will be missed by many.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Edgar and Mabel May Bell; foster parents, Wavely Elvis Timmons and Alma Jane Huffmann-Timmons; daughter, Donna Lynn Miller.

Burtis is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marjorie Bell; daughter, Renee Strassel; sons, Tim (Sue) Bell, Brian (Connie) Bell, Wayne (Donna D) Bell; 7 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great granddaughter.

Memorials may be made to HSHS Hospice.

Services will be held by the family at a later date in Kentucky.

Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home, Collinsville, IL.