THORNDIKE – Alton R. Bell, 82, of Thorndike, passed away on Monday, Feb. 23, 2004, at a Waterville hos-pital. He was born Dec. 1, 1921, in Mars Hill, the son of Charles Almon Bell and Helen (Rackliff) Bell. He attended schools in Mars Hill, graduating from A.C.I. in Mars Hill. He married the former Geraldine G. Watton on June 11, 1941, and had shared more than 62 years together. On Oct. 5, 1944, he was proud to enter the U.S. Army, serving during World War II in Germany. He was honorably discharged on March 20, 1946, with the rank of Private First Class. He owned and operated a dairy farm in Unity before moving to Connecticut, where he was employed by a print shop for more than 10 years. After retiring, he moved back to Thorndike and operated a print shop in his basement of his home. He was a loving husband and father who enjoyed being with his family. He also enjoyed collecting coins and stamps. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine Bell of 62 years of Thorndike; a son, Daryl Bell and his wife, Carol, of Troy; a daughter, Gloria Peterson and her husband, Ed, of Unity; three grandchildren, Karen Bell of Palmyra, Alan Kenney and his wife, Lori, of Monmouth, and Lance Kenney of Unity, Kendra Bell of Palmyra, Caitlyn and Joshua Kenney of Monmouth, and Thomas and Nicole Kenney of Unity; a sister, Launa Niles of Palmyra; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at the Lawry Brothers Memorial and Remembrance Centre (Unity Centre for the Performing Arts), 42 Depot St., Unity. In lieu of flowers, contributions made be made in his memory to the Unity Union Church, P.O. Box 146, Unity, ME 04988.
ALTON R. BELL
