Obituary of Martin Ray Schell

Martin Ray Schell, 67, of International Falls, Minn., died Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at his home after a battle with cancer. Martin was born Sept. 19, 1948, in International Falls, to parents, Jacob and Edna (Murray) Schell. They lived on the Black River Road, south of Loman, Minn. He graduated from Indus High School in 1966 at the age of 17. He married Diane (Ness) Schell on Dec. 15, 1972. When he turned 18, he enlisted in the Navy, and did 3 ½ years in Vietnam and Puerto Rico. Due to the Vietnam war coming to an end, the Navy discharged a number of men and Martin was one of them. He came home in March 1970 where he worked at Coast to Coast store on Main Street. He left there to go to Wherley Motors for a number of years. Through the years, he attended Bible college, worked at Marvin Windows in Warroad, Minn., at a campground in Illinois, and Case IH Tractor factory in Fargo, N.D. He had a passion for singing southern gospel music and did this for over 25 years with his wife, in churches and nursing homes wherever they lived. He was an avid fisherman and deer hunter. He loved the outdoors and would do anything to be out. He was a great help to anyone who asked him if they had a need and he could do it. People remembered him in West Falls Estates, where he was living, whistling, or singing as he walked through the building. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Susan (Schell) Beyer; his father-in-law, Myron (Bud) Ness; mother-in-law, Darlene (Ness) Andersen; brother-in-law, Gerald (Jerry) Ness; and brother-in-law, Harold Greeson. He is survived by his wife, Diane, of 43 years; two daughters, Bonnie (Cress) McFarland and Tina (Schell) Kulsea; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at First Assembly of God Church, Highway 53. There will be no graveside service as he requested cremation. Arrangements are by Cremation Society of Minnesota, Duluth, Minn.