Bess Wells

Bess Elizabeth Wells, age 87, of Merlin, died Sunday, January 23, 2011 at Rogue Valley Medical Center.

A viewing will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 26, 2011 and from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon, Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

A funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 27, 2011 at Hull & Hull Chapel with The Reverend Curt Thorne officiating. Private interment will be at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens.

Remembrances may be made to Gospel Rescue Mission, PO Box 190, Grants Pass, Oregon 97528 or North Valley Assembly of God Church, 368 Jump Off Joe Creek Road, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.

Bess was born February 11, 1923 in Saint Anthony, Idaho to George & Deborah Bell. She was raised in Vernonia, Oregon and graduated from Vernonia High School in 1940. On March 3, 1948 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho she married N.G. “Pete” Wells. In 1953 they moved from Vernonia to Merlin. For 21 years Bess was postmaster at the Merlin Post Office.

In 1992 she was a charter member of North Valley Assembly of God Church and through the church she enjoyed hosting a home Bible study.

Bess especially enjoyed being outdoors – mowing her lawn, maintaining her yard, and caring for the local wildlife. She also played pinochle, traveled and loved spending time with her family.

Survivors include two daughters, Sue Summers of Visalia, California and Polly Wells Smith of Milwaukie, Oregon; two sons, Pete Wells of Merlin, Oregon and George Wells of Sandy, Oregon; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Pete Wells in 1991.