Janice (Mervilde) Bell

Janice Bell, 72, passed away on Thursday, December 23, 2022, in Mishawaka. She was born in Mishawaka on December 9, 1950, the daughter of Armond and Amelia Mervilde.

Janice was one of those rare individuals who could light up any room with her presence and who could always find a way to have fun. Her tailgating events at Notre Dame games were legendary. As she frequently said, “We are undefeated in tailgating!” She was a loyal fan of the Irish, the Cubs, and the Bears. During the summer she had no greater pleasure than attending a South Bend Cubs game and just taking it all in.

Janice always wanted folks around her to enjoy themselves and to enjoy life. Janice built lifelong friendships. She still had close friends from St. Bavo School, Marian and John Adams high schools, her neighborhood, and the places she worked over the years. She was even an honorary Taylor Sister and a charter member of the Bavo Babes.

Janice lost her husband and the love of her life Gene Bell in 2017. Gene was her partner in many adventures including travel, tailgating, and too many good times to count. Gene and Janice were also steadfast caregivers for her mother Millie and her Aunt Del. The care and commitment that Janice and Gene showed in caring for Millie and Del for many years is an accurate measure of their characters.

Janice was successful in every aspect of her working career, but her work at Reith-Riley was a labor of love. She was a loyal, hardworking, and talented member of the R-R team. Her friends at Reith-Riley repaid Janice’s hard work many times over with their friendship and support, even after retirement.

Janice was proceeded in death by her brother, Michael Mervilde (Karen) of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and her lifelong best friend, Vicki Maley. She is survived by her brother, Jim Mervilde (Ginny) of Fishers, Indiana; her nieces, Laura Smoots (Tim) of Fishers, Indiana and Lisa Hanson (Josh) of Green Bay Wisconsin; her nephews, John Mervilde (Laura) of Indianapolis, Indiana and Michael Mervilde (Megan) of Bronx, NY; along with 12 great-nieces and nephews. Janice also leaves behind her beloved dog, Charlie who gave her 14 years of love and companionship.

Over the years Janice maintained close relationships with her cousins, Judi Benjamin, Frank Canarecci, Carol Hagedorn, Patrick Canarecci, and Diana Andrzejewski as well as her California cousins, Gus Guardino, Mary Notaro, Kathy Savre, Beth Cox, Annette Leeds and their mother, Aunt Marie Guardino, of Simi Valley, California.

Visitation will be at Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th St, Mishawaka, IN 46544 from 4-7 PM Thursday, December 29. A Mass of Christian Burial will be performed at 10:00 AM Friday, December 30 at St. Bavo Catholic Church, 511 W. 7th Street, Mishawaka, IN. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery with a luncheon following at the BK Club.

In lieu of flowers, Janice asks you to please consider a donation to the American Heart Association at heart.org.

To leave an online condolence or to share a memory, please visit www.hahnfuneralhomes.com or Hahn Funeral Home Facebook page.

12/28/2022 EJS