Herman R. Bell
Herman R. Bell, 100, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at his home. He was the son of the late John R. and Bernice Berger Bell.
Herman was born on May 17, 1922, in McDonald. He attended Hickory High School until the age of 16 when he joined the Civilian Conservation Core (CCC) Camp in Winslow, Arizona.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and stationed in the South Pacific, where he served in both the Pioneer company and Recon company, serving as a Sergeant in the United States Army in the battles at Bismarck, Archipelago, Eastern Mandates, Sou, Luzon and the Philippines. During his military service he earned the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with Four Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation with two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his military service, he attended numerous army reunions. He was honorably discharged in 1946 as a T-4 Sargent.
He was a member of Saint Oscar Romero Parish (Holy Rosary) and served as a Third Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus Council 13421.
Western Center Hospital employed him as a Stationary Engineer, and PA Transformer employed him as a Large Finisher for 15 years.
He was a member of the VFW Post #191, American Legion Post #902 in Houston, Muse Independent Club, PNU, White Eagles, and the Westland Sportsman’s Club.
In 1946 he married Sally G. Gagliardi, with whom he had two sons, David, deceased, and Randal (Becky). Sally passed away in 1975. Also surviving are two beloved nephews, Dennis of Muse and Roland of California; and granddaughter, Emily of Canonsburg.
In 1983 he married RoseMarie “Angie” Consoli who survives. With this marriage, he gained a step-daughter, Fernee Parascenzo D’Antonio and son-in-law, Phillip, who were with him at the time of his passing.
In his youth, Herman loved playing baseball and soccer. Playing cards, going to the Meadows casino and building puzzles with his wife were some of his favorite pastimes. He enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Herman was one of the first ambulance drivers in Canonsburg and also served as an auxiliary policeman. He was a member of the VFW Post #191 Honor Guard for 37 years, retiring from this organization at the age of 88. He was a lifetime member of the VFW for over 50 years as well as being a member of the American Legion and social member of the Muse Independent Club. He retired from Western Center in 1984 at the age of 62.
In addition to his parents, also deceased is a brother, Ferdinand; and a sister-in-law, Mabel.
Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2023, in Mario L. DeAngelo Funeral Home, 194 East College Street, Canonsburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Holy Rosary Church in Muse. Interment will follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Cecil Township.
Military honors will be provided by the United States Army and the VFW Post #191 Honor Guard.
Please donate to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Tribute wall available at deangelocare.com.