The Honorable Judge John Frederick Bell
/Dedicated to Public Service, the Rule of Law, and Family
The Honorable Retired Judge John Frederick Bell, 88, died peacefully at home in the arms of his beloved wife and son on December 18, 2024. Born in Emsworth, Pennsylvania, on June 24, 1936, he was the son of the late Rosanna Catherine Cronauer Bell and Winfield Scott Bell. In his senior year of high school, the family moved from Fairmont, West Virginia to Washington, Pennsylvania, which soon became his chosen home for life. Judge Bell married Janet Moschetta Bell in June of 1982. They have one son, John Winfield Bell, a Broadway music director and conductor. A small but strong family, Judge Bell had the deepest love and pride for his wife and son.
Bell was a graduate of Washington High School, Washington & Jefferson College, West Virginia University Law School, and attended the JAGC Military Law School at the University of Virginia. A member of ROTC while at W&J College, Bell continued his military career after law school by joining the Judge Advocate General Corps (JAGC) of the United States Army, attaining the rank of Captain. There, he was privileged to serve with renowned military law judge Colonel Reid Kennedy. Colonel Kennedy, who remained a friend and mentor for life, strongly encouraged him to make a career in the Army JAGC, but Bell wanted to return to his family and hometown. Bell received the Distinguished Service Award from the U.S. Army, was honorably discharged in 1965, and began his law career in Washington County. Captain Bell’s assignments in the JAGC grounded him with a wealth of criminal and civil law expertise. As a nod to Bell’s military experience and to his strong personality, his brothers-in-law affectionately nicknamed him “Colonel,” and the moniker remained for life.
Bell was admitted to practice law before all the Courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania including the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, all the Courts of the State of West Virginia, and the United States Supreme Court. In 1965, Bell set up his private practice in Washington, but quickly pivoted to public service as an Assistant District Attorney, and soon became the First Assistant District Attorney in the Washington County District Attorney’s Office from 1966 through 1975. Bell prosecuted numerous homicide and serious felony cases, and built a reputation for his outstanding courtroom skills, even temperament, keen knowledge of the rules of evidence, and respect for law enforcement. In the early 1970s, Special State Prosecutor Richard A. Sprague of Philadelphia prosecuted the infamous Yablonski murder trials which took place in Washington County but received national renown. John felt privileged when Attorney Sprague asked him to assist during the preparation and prosecution of these complicated cases. It was a source of great pride to John that when he ran for Judge in 1975, such distinguished men as Colonel Kennedy and Attorney Sprague spoke at the testimonial dinner endorsing his candidacy.
Bell was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, and he served two terms from 1976 through 1995 in the criminal, civil, and juvenile divisions. The majority of his judicial career was spent in criminal court, where Bell presided over many of the most serious, complex, and notorious first-degree murder trials in Washington County. Judge Bell worked tirelessly alongside a skilled and devoted staff, and they ran a highly productive and effective courtroom and chambers. As a Senior Judge from 1996 to 2013, Judge Bell accepted assignments of difficult, often controversial cases in Washington and other counties throughout Pennsylvania. Judge Bell always answered the call of duty without fear or hesitation. During his Senior Judge years, Bell was also an Adjunct Lecturer at W&J College teaching Business Law, and at California University of PA (now Penn West California) teaching Criminal Law.
Judge Bell enjoyed an active volunteer life with many community service and social organizations. He was elected Chairman of the City of Washington Democratic Committee in the late 1960s, elected to the Democratic State Committee in 1972 for a two-year term, he served as Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Washington County Heart Fund in 1972-1973, he was a member of the Washington County Cancer Board in 1969, he was named Director of the Washington County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, he was an Advisory Board Member of Washington County Child Welfare, he served on the Committee on Child Abuse for the Washington County Mental Health Association, and he sat on the Board of Directors of the Washington Community Theatre from 2010 through 2012. He was a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge #776 and the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post #175.
Judge Bell has been recognized with various awards for his contributions to Washington County, to the Courts, and to society: A Certificate of Meritorious Service from the Washington County Bar Association in 1995 “to state that in performance of his duties during his two terms of office, he reflected the highest credit on the judicial system of Pennsylvania”, a Distinguished Service Citizenship Award from the U.S. Army in 1978 “for outstanding and meritorious service to humanity”, a Service Award from the Washington County Juvenile Probation Department for “outstanding service and dedication to the Washington County Juvenile Court”, a Distinguished Law & Justice Award from the County Detectives Association of PA in 1985, and Outstanding Young Man of America Award in 1972.
Several members of Bell’s family have predeceased him: his parents; his brother, Winfield Scott Bell, Jr.; his two sisters, Alida Jean Bell Comko and Constance Louise Bell Thompson, and his nephew, Matthew Comko.
Surviving are nieces, Deborah Comko Benjamin and Jane Thompson Coyle; nephews, Shawn Comko and Richard Thompson, and many extended family members. Judge Bell had a special bond with his four brothers-in-law. Two have predeceased him, John J. Moschetta, Jr. and C. Jerome Moschetta, and two survive, Joseph P. Moschetta and James A. Moschetta. John leaves an impressive network of life-long friends, colleagues, outstanding legal secretaries and law clerks, and the finest court reporters.
Judge Bell was serious about his work, but he was also serious about having fun. He had a keen sense of humor which he happily shared with anyone nearby. His ever-burgeoning treasure trove of jokes, quips, and witticisms, all delivered with impeccable timing, were well known and circulated throughout the courthouse and the streets of Washington. He was a fan of classic movies and television programs and appreciated the allure of show business. In the summer of 1994, he joined his son onstage in Washington Community Theatre’s production of Annie, where he played the role of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. While singing may not have been his strength, he relished the opportunity to play FDR, one of his personal heroes. With John Bell, there was always laughter.
One of John’s greatest joys was watching his son perform on Broadway, at the Kennedy Center, and at theatres in Pittsburgh and around the country. John was Roman Catholic, and the family are members of Immaculate Conception Church, St. James Parish, Washington, PA.
In his own words, John Bell lived “a fulfilled life.” He served the public and his country, upheld the rule of law, loved his family dearly, prayed faithfully, and kept his sense of humor sharp to the end. John Bell died in peace.
The family expresses gratitude to the medical community, hospice caregivers, and private aides who cared for John with skill and compassion.
Friends will be received on Friday, December 27, 2024, from 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 P.M. in the Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Wilson at E. Katherine Ave., Washington, S. Timothy Warco, Owner/Supervisor, S. Timothy Warco II, Director, Holly Renay Warco, Director. Departing Prayers of Transfer will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 28, 2024, in the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. in the Immaculate Conception Church, St. James Parish, 119 W. Chestnut Street, Washington, PA with the Rev. Michael Peck as celebrant. Interment will be private in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville, PA. Full Military Rites will be accord by the American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post #175 and the United States Army. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org, to John F. Kennedy Catholic School, 111 W. Spruce Street, Washington, PA 15301, or to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com