Samuel M. Bello Sr., 82, of 325 S. McKean St. died Wednesday at Butler Memorial Hospital after an illness.

Born in Butler, Sept. 11, 1922, he was the son of Michael and Conchita Allen Bello.

He owned and operated Bello's Auto Body Shop in Butler for 45 years.

Mr. Bello was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, the Sons of Italy and a 50-year member of the Butler Moose Lodge. He was a former board member of Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame; one of the founders of the Butler Area Midget Football League, where he also coached for a number of years; and a former athletic manager for Butler Cubs ASA Football Team. He was an avid sportsman and fisherman.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret "Mickey" McMahon Bello, whom he married April 2, 1945; two sons and daughters-in-law, Samuel M. and Marcia Bello Jr. of Findlay, Ohio, and George T. and Elizabeth Bello of Olean, N.Y.; a daughter and son-in–law, Catherine and James E. Swift of Butler; and three sisters, Mrs. Rose Pintell, Mrs. Mary Vero and Mrs. Lillian Giunta, all of Butler. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Joseph N. and Ginger Bello Sr. of Findlay, Samantha Swift of Butler, Mark and Christine Swift of Butler, Stephanie Swift of Pittsburgh and Angelina Bello of Olean; a great-grandson, Joseph N. Bello Jr. of Findlay; and a number of loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Thomas Bello.

BELLO - Friends of Samuel M. Bello Sr., who died Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, 429 Center Ave. A blessing service will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with his church pastor, the Rev. James Dolan, officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.The Bereavement Group of St. Michael Parish will hold a scriptural wake service at 3 p.m. Friday at funeral home.