Preston Jeffrey Bell

Preston Jeffrey Bell, beloved and son of Jeffrey and Jessica (née Pavlich) Bell and loving and protective brother to his sister, Montgomery, and the family dog Poppy,  passed away suddenly on April 21, 2021 at the age of 17.

Born on July 1, 2003 in Superior Township, Michigan, he is deeply, deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his family including his grandparents, Rita Pavlich, Nancy Bell, and Donald (Paula) Bell. Preston also leaves behind a large number of Aunts and Uncles that will miss him immeasurably including Vranae (Jane) Pavlich, Tracy Pattenaude, Andy Pavlich, Jr., James Pavlich, Henry (Deanna) Pavlich, Michael Bell and Donna (Dave) Maher. Lastly, but certainly not the least, this young man will be powerfully missed by his cousins, his second cousins, his friends, his co-workers, his teachers, his community, and the many, many people whose lives he has undoubtedly touched, but he never talked about. 
 
Preston began his early education at Allen Elementary School in Plymouth, and then went on to Central and East Middle Schools’.  He attended Plymouth Canton High School and was scheduled to graduate with the class of 2021. Just one day prior to his passing, he had signed his commitment letter and submitted  his deposit as he prepared to begin his college career at the University of  Michigan Dearborn.
 
Preston’s intellectual and problem-solving capabilities became evident at a very young age, which led him to a highly developed interest in science, technology, engineering and math. However, where Preston really excelled was his keen ability to incorporate the human element into science. It was always about learning more so it could be applied to better the human condition and make the world a better place than the one he saw around him. He earned a place in the STEM Engineering Academy while completing four years of Mandarin Chinese study. He believed that by coupling knowledge of the science needed to develop clean energy, clean water, and clean air solutions with the ability to speak the primary language of the country where the great majority of human rights and environmental abuses are taking place, he might just have been able to make things better. 

Preston’s gifts didn’t stop with intellect. He was also a very talented athlete in his own right. He started out with gymnastics and went quite far up the U.S. competitive scale before deciding he was ready for a change. He went on to study CREW for two years and continued to utilize the workouts he learned there to keep his endurance, strength, stamina and flexibility skills high, while he focused less on CREW and more on his studies and his job at Main Street Pizza in Plymouth. 

Preston Bell was many things, he was a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, an animal lover, an honor student, an athlete and an employee, but beyond all of those things, he was simply a good boy, with a good heart, who wanted to do good things for people and make the world a better place than the one he was living in. He had big brown eyes, a contagious smile and desire for people to be better and to do better. We all had something to learn from Preston.

When you think of him, please say his name out loud.  Remember he was a great kid.  Don’t be afraid to talk with your friends, your parents, your family and all those who are close or meaningful to you.  Please share your thoughts and your feelings with one another. Don’t ever be afraid to admit you are scared or that you need help.  If you do these things, and stay close to all who are the closest to you in your life, a little bit of Preston will still be here with us and he will be changing the world into the one he wanted to see. 

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.

A Funeral Scripture Service will be held at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14951 North Haggerty Road, Plymouth, Michigan on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Preston will be in-state at 10:00 A.M. until the time of the Scripture Service at 10:30 A.M.

As of November 18, 2020, we are permitted to have no more than 25 people in attendance for visitations and funerals. Please be advised that in observance of the Governmental Order from the State of Michigan and the current COVID-19 situation, when in attendance at the visitation, we kindly ask for the safety and well-being of the families we serve, and for your health, that everyone practice social distancing and consideration for other guests in attendance. Masks are mandatory. Please refrain from handshaking and embracing family members and one another.