Obituary for Pearce Chell

Pearce B. Chell, 102, of Charlottesville, Virginia, died quietly at his home March 27, 2015. Born November 2, 1912 in Boston, Massachusetts, he was the son of B. W. Chell and Laura Sorkness Chell of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Janet W. Chell, and his brother and sister-in-law, Paul L. and Lois K. Chell.Mr. Chell was a career Army officer and served honorably for 22 years before retiring as a Lt. Colonel in the Army Reserves. He was stationed in the United States and the Philippines during World War II and later in Japan, Germany twice, and many states in the U.S. He was most proud of serving his country during a time of war and beyond.After his retirement from the Army, he lived for over 40 years as a gentleman-farmer on six acres outside of Akron, Ohio, with his wife Janet. They traveled together extensively in the U.S., and Pearce continued traveling in the U.S. and Europe after her death in 1988. Traveling and his grandchildren were his life''s main passions, after the army. He left his children and grandchildren a heritage of love for learning, travel, geology, history, natural beauty, birds, flowers, growing things, and family. We are grateful for his influence and concern in our lives. Even though we had him for 102 years, he will still be missed.He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Riser and her husband Bruce of Williamsburg, Va., son William L. Chell and wife Louisa of Lawton, Pa., and son Donald C. Chell of Cincinnati, Oh. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Merry Riser, Stephanie Casado, Rachel Simpson, Christopher Riser, Andrew Riser, Louis Chell Hanke, Benjamin Chell, and Theo Chell;16 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; a nephew, Jim Chell; two nieces, Gretchen Chell Cover and Tracey Chell; and daughter-in-law MariAnn Kusmertz ChellThe family wishes to especially thank the staff at Legacy Hospice and the wonderful caregivers from Home Instead Senior Care who lovingly and tenderly helped care for Mr. Chell over the past two years.A memorial for Mr. Chell with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Mount Peace Cemetery in Akron, Ohio.Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.hillandwood.com/.