Edward Bell Obituary

I knew Ned and the entire family as a young boy growing up in Toledo. Ned was our coach, along with my dad, and they were so patient with us. I went camping with the family a couple of times. He was a very good man...

I first met Ned when we served a two-month stint as jurors in Monroe County in the 1990s. We both were reporters and columnists then, although for different papers, and we figured our profession would get us tossed during voir dire.

Imagine our surprise when we were seated on multiple juries together, including one that ended hung after several days of deliberation (and while the county was basically locked down after a big snowstorm).

That trial was very tense, and not just because of the case and the weather: One juror was rude and crass to all, making jury duty extra difficult. As the jury's foreperson, I was among her favorite targets.

Ned refused to be flummoxed by the woman's insults and the stress of the case. He arrived smiling every morning and remained kind and supportive of his fellow jurors, including me and that disagreeable woman.

It's no surprise he conducted himself the same way at The Blade. He'd retired before I joined the paper, but I was always grateful we worked together in a different setting.

To his family and friends, you have my deepest sympathy. He was a gem!

The steadiest. Ned kept his cool in what can be a hair-on-fire business -- a refreshing quality much appreciated by coworkers, especially when he ran The Blade city desk on Friday and Saturday nights back when.

Ned Bell was one of the kindest colleagues I've ever known. He was a very fine man who deserved every bit of the widespread respect and affection of his many newsroom colleagues. Rest in peace, Ned.

That photo of Ned wearing a bolo tie and a smile is exactly how I remember him from our time as Blade coworkers. It was my privilege to edit Ned's farm stories during my stint on the business desk. He was a consummate professional and a pleasure to be around. Just a fine gentleman.