Donald E. Bell Sr.

Donald E. Bell, of Saint Charles, MO, passed away Monday, August 21, 2023, at the age of 93. Beloved husband of the late Helen Mary Ann Bell; cherished son of the late James and Bertha Bell; devoted father of Donald E. Bell, Jr., Margaret “Peggy” McCrady, and Catherine Close; stepfather of Oliver Souffle’, Dion Souffle’ Dianne Williams, Pam Gilcrist, Ronnie Pounds, Donald Pounds, Karen Schulz, and Kathy Bense; Loving grandfather to Cara Hausman, Mike Borchardt, Leslie Roberts, Gina Mohmoud, Aaron McCrady, Ashley Bell, Brittany Bell, and Anthony Souffle; and beloved great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, and uncle.  

Donald was a Boy Scout in Ursa, IL from 1946-1948 and Future Farmers of America, Quincy, IL from 1947-1948. Donald graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 1949, then he went to Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK where he graduated in December 1950 with his A&P Certificate. He then attended Naval Air Technical School in Memphis, TN and graduated the top Marine in class in February 1952. He would serve in the Marines during the Korean War from 1951-1954.  

Donald would become a member of the VFW in Wentzville as a life member beginning in 1954. He attended American Airlines training in sheet metal structures in 1955 and received 40 credit hours from the University of Missouri, St. Louis. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous group on November 10, 1968. 

Donald was a Marine Corps League life member since 1981 and a part of the Commandant Department of MO in 1988 and 2000 for the St. Charles and Lincoln County Department.  

Donald was a member of the Military Order of Devil Dogs; PDD, Marine Corps League, 1st Marine Division Association, Marine Corps Association and volunteered with Toys for Tots from 1980 to 1998 in St. Louis.  

Donald spent the last 20 years working with Midcoast Aviation of St. Louis, MO; one of the programs he was most proud to work on was the Space Shuttle NASA Program. His other jobs included: Clark Aircraft Inc., of Keokuk, IA; Land-Air Inc. of Chicago, IL, Capital Aviation Inc of Springfield, IL; McDonnell Aircraft Inc. (Gemini Space Craft) of St. Louis, MO and the United States Marine Corps.  

He loved working with the young marines, including his grandson, Aaron. Donald married the love of his life, Mary Ann on May 21, 1983. 

In his free time, he loved traveling and going on cruises with his late wife Mary Ann. Donald loved spending time with family and friends, especially during Christmas.  

In his later years he volunteered with American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and St. Louis Science Center.  

Memorials may be made in Donald's name to Toys for Tots. https://www.toysfortots.org/donate/Default.aspx