Sudden
Death of Rev. J. Parker Bell
Rev. J. Parker Bell died
very suddenly at his residence on Norfolk Street in Simcoe, at an
early hour on Monday morning, 21 Jan 1918, in his 76th year.
Mr. Bell was born in York
County in the year 1843. He was one of a family of 11 children,
eight of whom survive.
He was educated at Toronto
Normal School with a view to teaching but felt called to the
ministry and entered the Methodist Church as a probationer in the
year 1865. He had therefore been more than 52 years a minister of
the Methodist church, stationed on the following circuits:
Otterville, Delhi, Old Windham, Caistorville, Binbrook, Fenwick and
Bridgeburg.
He was married in 1868 to
Sarah Taylor of Stratford, who was in every way a faithful and
efficient helpmate until the time of her death in the year
1902.
His wife's death was a sore
bereavement to him, and being affected with deafness, he felt he
could not continue in the active work of the ministry. He was
superannuated at the following Conference. Since then he has
supplied various circuits.
He finally decided to make
his home in Simcoe, and removed here with his daughter four years
ago. During his residence here he has taken a deep interest in the
work of the church and greatly endeared himself to the members of
the congregation.
As a preacher Mr. Bell was
animated, attractive and practical. As a pastor he was kind and
sympathetic and greatly beloved in all his fields of labor.
He is survived by one
daughter, Mrs. Thornton of Simcoe.
The funeral services were
held Wednesday, 23 Jan 1918. After a short service at the home, a
public service was conducted in the Methodist Church. Rev. J.A.
McLachlan, president of the Hamilton Conference, preached. After
singing and prayer led by Rev. Dr. Dey, tributes to the memory of
the deceased were paid by Rev. Boyd of Ridgeway, Rev. Bradshaw of
Galt and Rev. J.H. McBain.
The resident ministers
attended the funeral, also several ministers of the Hamilton
Conference, testifying to the esteem in which the deceased was held.
The remains were borne to
their last resting place by six of deceased's brother ministers, and
interment took place at Oakwood Cemetery.
