Charles Edward Bell

Charles Edward Bell, age 73, of Portage passed away November 8, 2022. He was born July 17, 1949 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Edward Pifer and Marlene Davidson. He was lovingly raised by his mother and stepfather, William E. (Bud) Bell.

Charlie was a member of the first graduating class of Portage Northern in 1967. He served in the US Army in Vietnam as a tank commander and earned an associate degree in electronics from KVCC. Charlie continued his involvement in veteran services as a member of American Legion Post 84 out of Otsego, MI, and Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 73 out of Holland, MI. He had the honor of holding the US field flag during the national anthem at a University of Michigan football game. He was an Honored Veteran of Talon’s Out Honor Flight Mission #12 in September 2017.  Charlie was a life member of the Harley Owners Group. In his spare time, he loved riding his motorcycle and was an avid fan of Michigan sports.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David M. Bell; first wife, Vicki (Rice) Traverse; and second wife, Krista (Koehneke) Bell.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Bondurant; children: Brian (Kimberly) Bell, Stefanie (John) Wall, Tracy (Rob) Westerman, and stepsons John (Shelley) Robbins, Colin (Sandy) Killmer, and Christopher (Emily) Killmer; ten grandchildren; brother, William Bell; and sister, Kari Jo Phau.

A memorial service will take place Friday, November 25 at 11:00am at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. A luncheon will immediately follow the service, and Charlie will be honored during a committal service with military honors at Ft. Custer National Cemetery at 3:00pm.

Donations in Charlie’s memory may be made to Talons Out Honor Flight, PO Box 280, Portage, MI 49081 or online at www.talonsouthonorflight.org

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit https://www.langelands.com