Nelson D. Bell, age 97, of Toledo, OH entered into the presence of Jesus on August 6, 2025, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio Perrysburg. He was born August 14, 1927 in Circleville, OH to Nelson and Iva “Becky” (Lanman) Bell. Nelson proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII, enlisting when he was 17 years of age. He graduated from Walnut Creek Township High School in 1945 and attended Ohio University following his time in the service. Following college, he worked for B & C Oil Co, was manager of Coshocton Farmer’s Exchange and spent 26 years in various sales positions at Allied Mills. The last 10 years of his career, he was the first Director of Economic Development for Fulton County. Nelson was a Patriot and a Buckeye through and through, being proud of his home state and particularly the Ohio State Buckeyes. The year he retired he also became a grandfather and was affectionately nick-named “Bump.” In his retirement years, you would find Bump hanging out every morning at Panera Bread in Maumee with his coffee buddies, attending every event or outing with his grandchildren or sitting at the computer writing. He loved putting together scrapbooks of his life adventures, fun family times and current events. He wrote often about his Faith, Family and American values, which were his version of the “FFA Club.” If you ever had the pleasure of sitting down with Bump for any amount of time, you inevitably heard him tell a story or offer up his infectious laugh. His favorite expression came from Ted Lewis, famous vaudeville entertainer from his hometown of Circleville, OH, “Is everybody happy?” He genuinely enjoyed making people smile and felt laughter was the best medicine. Bump was also known for arriving early, never late. His trademark phrase when it was time to leave was, “Let’s get the troops in out of the hot sun.” This was the signal to head for the door because he was leaving! Bump was then likely to say, “Glad you got to see me,” and if you knew Bump, you would agree.
In addition to his parents, Nelson was also preceded in death by his brother, John (Doris) Bell and sister Jane (Harold) Schwendeman. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Karen; son, Noel (Jill) Bell of Aledo, Texas, daughter, Karla (Judd) Gleason of Maumee, Ohio; grandchildren Abbi (Stephen) Alvarez, Josh (Kassie) Bell, Hannah Bell, Jarett Gleason, Joel Gleason, James Gleason, and Chris Gleason; great-grandchildren Violet Marie Alvarez and Stephen Andrew Alvarez Jr. and Parker Grace Bell, as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive guests from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Providence Lutheran Church, 8131 Airport Highway, Holland, OH. Military and Masonic services will begin at 10:30 am. Memorial service with gathering to follow, will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Todd Milner officiating. Interment will be private, at a later date.
Memorial contributions, in Nelson's memory, may be made to Providence Lutheran Church, Holland OH or Hospice of NW Ohio.
Nelson’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the physicians, nurses and staff of Mercy Health Perrysburg and Hospice of NW Ohio for their loving and compassionate care during his recent illness.
