John Robert Bedell

On Sunday, August 27, 2023, John Robert Bedell passed away after a 7-year battle with multiple myeloma cancer at 76, surrounded by his loving family. 

John was born September 11, 1946, in Brockton, Massachusetts. When John was a child the Bedell Family moved back to Urbana, Ohio.  He graduated from Urbana High School in 1965.  He then went to Columbus University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Commercial Science and Finance in 1968. 

After graduation, John worked at Kinnear Corporation from 1968 – 1972. John retired from Borden, Inc. in 2005 after 33 years of service, acting as a Senior Financial Controller in the IS Department. 

Anyone who knew John knew of his deep love of cars and his need for speed.  His interest in cars started in 1957 when he purchased the body for his 1931 Ford 5-window coupe and that is when Bedell’s Hot Rods was born.  John’s passion for cars fueled his classic car restoration business, B&B Enterprises. 

John was a member of the National Street Rod Council, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, and the National Corvette Restorers Society. 

John’s extroverted nature, sense of humor, drive, energy, and dependability made him one of a kind.  John never knew a stranger and was always quick with a joke and would “ratchet jaw” with anyone. John loved to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes and the History and Hallmark Channels. John was a lover of animals.  As a kid, he had a red-tailed hawk, a dog and 2 squirrels that lived in his family home.  He rescued numerous bunnies, squirrels, turtles, raccoons & birds.  John was able to speak to mourning doves with his dove call.  As a boy, he hunted and fished and continued his love of fishing and boating with his brother Gregg in Bonita Springs, Florida over the years.  John loved to play tennis.  He was an award-winning tennis player in high school and continued to play as an adult. 

John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marianne (Dennis); children, Dr. Laura (James) Garish, John Matthew Bedell (Dr. Geraldine Botte), and Ashley Bedell; grandchildren Lily, Ellyse, and Grace Garish, Geri and Andrea Bedell and John and Julian Bedell; nephew Seth Bedell (Sarah) and Grandnephew, Ozias, and grandnieces Scarlett and Fallon; sister-in-law Cindi Baird, surviving wife of Gregg Bedell. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Joyce Bedell, and his brother, Gregg Bedell. 

A gathering of family and friends will be held at 8520 Rausch Drive, Plain City, Ohio 43064 on Saturday, September 30th at 2:00 PM.  A private family burial will take place at Oak Dale Cemetery in Urbana, Ohio.  In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations made in John’s name to Hospice of Central Ohio – www.hospiceofcentralohio.org/donate. Donations can also be made at the celebration of life gathering.

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