Larry E. Bell

Larry Elsworth Bell, age 86, passed away on May 17, 2026, in Hastings, Michigan. He was born December 26, 1939, in Battle Creek to Elsworth Nelson and Margaret Edith (Conant) Bell.

Larry grew up in Battle Creek and graduated from Marshall High School in 1958. At 14, he began a newspaper delivery route of 150 papers, an early experience that shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. He attended Western Michigan University for two years before marrying the love of his life, Barbara Ray (Beatty) Bell, in 1960 after the sudden passing of her father and grandfather, and together, they ran the family farm. Larry later returned to Western and earned a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1968.

He spent many years working in the Grand Rapids furniture industry before founding Paladin Industries in 1985, a CNC‑based shop producing custom items. Larry enjoyed a life filled with hands‑on passions—woodworking, gun collecting, hunting, and motorcycle riding. These interests reflected his love of craftsmanship, the outdoors, and simple, satisfying work.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Larry is survived by his wife, Barbara Bell; sons Craig (Sherri) Bell and Thad Bell; 2 grandchildren; 4 great‑grandchildren; and 2 great‑great‑grandchildren; brother Curtis (Karen) Bell; and his nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 405 N M‑37, Hastings, MI. Visitation will be one hour prior, with a luncheon to follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Deacon’s Fund; Tunnel to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org/donate/, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, condolences may be left at www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.