Richard Leroy "Rick" Stell, son of Leroy Wesley (1907-1967) and Ann (Makowski) (1913-1987) Stell, was born 3 February 1934, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Michigan.  Rick's parents were divorced and Rick was raised by George Burnam Pelley (1925-1995) who married Ann Stell.  Rick graduated in 1951 from Okemos High School.

Rick enlisted in the US Army, May 1953.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 8 February 1953

STELL - Army Pvt. Richard L. Stell, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. George B. Pelley, live in East Lansing, was graduated from the 109th Infantry regiment's non-commissioned officers' academy at Gablingen, Germany.  Pvt. Stell arrived in Europe last October and is assigned to the 109th Regiment's Company B., as a rifleman.  Before entering the army last May, he was graduated from the Okemos high school and was employed by the Lapaco Chemical company.

Rick married Anna Louise Cornwell 21 June 1958, Ithaca, Gratiot County, Michigan.  Anna was born 2 April 1931. 

In 1960 Rick graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science.  Later he furthered his education with a Master's Degree.  Rick was employed by the Department of Navy for over 30 years.

Rick and Anna shared 42 years of marriage and 5 children before her death 8 October 2000.  Rick died 31 May 2008.  Rick and Anna were interred Riverside Cemetery, Alma, Gratiot County. 

Lux-Moody-Wolfel Funeral Home, Alma, Michigan

Richard Leroy Stell

February 03, 1934 - May 31, 2008

Age 74, of Alma, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2008 at Masonic Pathways in Alma.

Rick was born February 3, 1934 in Kalamazoo, Michigan the son Leroy and Ann (Makowski) Stell. He grew up in the Lansing area being raised by Ann and George Pelley. He graduated from Okemos High School and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon return from the service Rick obtained a Political Science Degree from Michigan State University. Rick married Anna Cornwell on June 21, 1958 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Ithaca.

Rick and Anna moved to Wisconsin where he worked for the Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He worked for over 30 years for the Department of Navy in Data Processing in Washington, D.C. Rick got a Masters Degree from the University of Virginia in Business and Administration.

After retiring from the Department of Navy in 1989 he and Anna moved back to the Alma area, where he has resided since that time. Rick and Anna welcomed many foreign exchange students into their home for many years. He was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Rick was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus, serving as a past Grand Knight.

Rick is survived by three daughters, Dawn Marie Nash of Leonardtown, Maryland, Kimberly Ann (Richard) Latham of Centreville, Virginia and Tonya Lea (Andrew) Kelly of Alexandria, Virginia, two sons, Kevin Lee Stell of Naperville, Illinois and Kirk Alan Stell of Springfield, Virginia, ten grandchildren, one great-grandson and four brothers, Charles Stell of California, Robert Henkey, Dan Pelley and David Pelley all of Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leroy Stell, parents, George and Ann Pelley, and his wife, Anna Stell on October 8, 2000.

A funeral mass for Rick will be held Tuesday, June 3rd at 11am at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Fr. Jules Spleet officiating. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday from 3-5 and 7-9pm at Lux-Moody-Wolfel Funeral Home in Alma. A prayer service will be held Monday evening at 7:30pm officiated by Deacon John Cremin, followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michigan Parkinson's Foundation or the American Breast Cancer Foundation.