David Arthur "Dave" Bell

Mr. David Arthur "Dave" Bell, age 76 of Madison, Indiana, entered this life on July 11, 1949 in Madison, Indiana. He was the loving son of the late Raymond and Benny Francis Martin Bell. A life-long resident of Jefferson County, Dave was a 1970 graduate of Madison Consolidated High School. He was inducted into the United States Marine Corps on December 30, 1968 in Louisville, Kentucky and was honorably discharged on December 3, 1969 in San Diego, California, receiving the National Defense Service Medal. He was blessed to raise a son, James David, and two daughters, Kristen Jean and Olivia Arlynn. He retired after 30-plus years of service at Rotary Lift in Madison. He was a long-time member of the Walnut Street Fire Department and later became a member of the Madison Township Fire Department. He had served as Fire Chief at the Madison Township Fire Department as well as many other offices in the department. He served his community in many ways as a grant writer, Assistant and Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Madison, Hazmat Instructor, State Fire Instructor and also served as the Jefferson County Emergency Management Director for 20 years. Additionally, Dave served the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office as a former Merit Board Member and Special Deputy with integrity, dedication, and had a true servant's heart. He played an important role in supporting the mission of the offices he served and strengthening public trust in law enforcement. His commitment to service left a lasting impact on the Sheriff's Office and the citizens they are honored to protect. Dave died on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 11:03 p.m. at his residence in Madison, Indiana.

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A LOVING FAMILY Dave will be missed by his loving fiancee of 20 years, Debbie Elles of Madison, Indiana; his son, James David "Jamie" Bell of Madison, Indiana; his daughters, Kristen Jean Bell and her companion, Jason Horine of Trimble County, Kentucky, and Olivia Arlynn Roark and her husband, Wesley of Madison, Indiana; his stepson, B.J. Elles of Madison, Indiana; his grandchildren, Bailey Earls, Kennedy Earls and her companion, Michael Edens, Rylee Carlton, Aria Fitzgerald, Natalie Bell, Hudson Roark, Kingslee Roark, Tucker Roark, Magnolia Elles and Skyler Elles; his great-granchildren, Myles Edens, Bennie Edens, Millie Edens and Delaney Hoskins; his brothers Pastor Michael Bell of Glendale, Kentucky, Raymond Bell and his wife, Paula of Hanover, Indiana; his several nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Benny Francis Martin Bell; his sisters, Nancy Bell Kilgore and Betty Bell Stackhouse.

FUNERAL CEREMONY Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., by Pastor Michael Bell at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1415 North Gate Road in Madison, Indiana.

MILITARY HONORSA final salute with military honors will be conducted by the Major Samuel Woodfill Post No. 9 of the American Legion.

VISITATION Friends may call Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana.

FIREMAN'S SERVICE The Madison Township Fire Department will conduct a fireman's service on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre.

MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to the Madison Township Fire Department or Our Hospice. Cards are available at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centres of Madison and Hanover. Online condolences, remembrances and memorials can be left at www.morgan-nay.com.

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