ROCHESTER - Maurice A. Azbell, 82, of 229 E. 14th St., Rochester, passed away March 14, 2011, in Woodlawn Hospital, Warsaw.
He was born March 22, 1928, in Twelve Mile, to Thurman and Lova Snyder Azbell. He was one of seven children growing up with two sisters and four brothers. On Sept. 8, 1953, he married his best friend and love of his life, Berdene Callahan, who survives.
As a proud Flyer, he graduated from Akron High School in 1946. Following high school, he served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. During his stint in Korea he was wounded and was a recipient of the coveted Purple Heart. He returned stateside and married his best friend and love of his life and had two beautiful daughters.
As a signal man with the Erie - Lackawanna Railroad Co., he was dedicated to the safe travel of trains for 29 years. Transitioning to the Conrail Co., he continued to work for 12 years, retiring after 41 years of devotion to safety. A talented musician, he mastered the organ, harmonica and guitar, playing to his listeners all by ear. He was a member of the "Over the Hill Gang" band, and his brother Merrill and friend Marvin Dillman with Maurice composed the "3 Musketeers" band. He was a loyal Masonic member for more than 50 years of the F&AM Lodge 79, serving in the earlier years as past worshipful master.
Camping at the Fair Oaks Campground on the shores of the Tippecanoe was the setting where he and his wife enjoyed camping trips and fishing with his daughters. Always with artificial bait he enjoyed teaching the girls the finer points of fishing for pan fish and landing the catch of the day. More recently he enjoy the fresh air and soft breezes from his porch, strategically situated at 14th and Monroe. He'd keep an eye on the daily traffic and always share a warm smile and wave from his favorite chair.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife; two daughters, Trillia (and spouse Dennis) Gearhart and Mila Barts; two sisters, Janet Ballinger and Ruth Green, both of Rochester; three brothers: Wendell Azbell, North Vernon; Merrill Azbell, North Manchester; and Darle Azbell, Peru; two grandsons, Cory Gearhart and Clinton Barts; four granddaughters: Lindsey and Caitlin Barts, Ashley (and spouse Christopher) Craft and Emily Gearhart; three great-grandsons: Hunter, Alex and Derek Craft; and the father of his grandchildren, David Barts. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Harold Dean Azbell, who died in France during World War II.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, with Pastor Butch Troke officiating. Burial will be in Rochester IOOF Cemetery with military graveside rites by members of LeRoy Shelton American Legion 36 and Veterans of Foreign Wars 1343, both in Rochester.
Calling is from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday and one hour prior to the service Monday at the funeral home with a Masonic service at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
