Bell

Wayne Bell, a Presbyterian pastor for more than 30 years, died Thursday at his Slippery Rock home surrounded by his family. He was 59.

Wayne was born April 8, 1950, in McKeesport, to Kathleen and Alexander Bell of Irwin.

He was a graduate of Norwin High School and Alliance College. He received his Master of Divinity degree from the Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

For Wayne, life was a journey. His love for sailing led him to Canada's North Channel, the Western Florida Keys, Loch Ness, the Virgin Islands, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the Chesapeake Bay. Locally, he sailed the "For Who the Bells Toil" with his family on Lake Arthur for 25 years. He was captain of the Lake Arthur Sailing Club. He also served as president of the Trailer/Sailor Association and co-wrote several articles about sailing adventures for Sailing magazine with his wife, Debbie.

He was an avid bicyclist and Rails to Trails supporter. Aside from riding many of the local trails, Wayne also rode in The Galápagos Islands; Bishop Auckland, England; and Edinburgh, Scotland. His favorite journey was the trail between Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh. He shared the peace and serenity of this route with his wife, his father, his son, Jason, his daughter, Rachel, his son-in-law, Troy, and his sister, Sandy, on many overnight camping trips.

His true love was missions, especially providing housing for families in need. He tirelessly worked organizing trips and funding projects in Pittsburgh; Nicaragua; southern Florida; Suffolk, Va.; and Slidell, La.

Although a central theme to life was a sense of adventure, his fondest memories were in his own backyard with family and friends.

As a member of the Beaver-Butler Presbytery, he served on the Committee on Ministry, Christian Education Committee, Planning Committee and Permanent Judicial Commission.

Wayne currently was serving as pastor of the West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church. He also served as area minister for the Beaver-Butler Presbytery and the Shenango Presbytery, serving many churches. He previously served churches in Bellaire, Ohio, and Kenova, W.Va.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Debbie, and his son, Jason, of Slippery Rock; his daughter and son-in-law, Rachel and Troy Painter of Shady Side, Md.; his granddaughters, Sierra Bell of Slippery Rock and Alexandra (Lexi) Painter of Shady Side, Md.; his sister, Sandra Sargo; his mother-in-law, Dora Michael of Tarentum; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Donna Michael of Sarver; and family friend, Jenny Armen of Monroeville. He also is survived by several nieces and nephews, Michael Sargo of Somerset, Alexis Sargo of Austin, Texas, Lisa and Brian Weiland and their son, Drake, of Mount Chestnut, and Jeff Michael of Tarentum.

<B>BELL</B> — Friends of Wayne Bell, who died Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, will be received from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the <B>Young Funeral Home</B>, 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Lee Dreyer of White Oak Springs Presbyterian Church, Butler, and the Rev. Eric E. Dennis of Linway United Presbyterian Church, East McKeesport, officiating. Burial will be private.The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Bell Memorial Mission Fund, c/o the West Sunbury United Presbyterian Church, 215 E. Church St., P.O. Box 106, West Sunbury, PA 16061-3121. The contributions will be used by the family to support projects in Nicaragua and the Gulf Coast region of Louisiana.Information also is available at www.youngfuneralhomes.com.