E. Noel Bridwell, 92, a life long resident of Friendship, Ohio, died Monday, May 28th, 2007, at Southern Ohio Medical Center. Noel was born on September 23rd, 1914, a son of the late William E. and Ida May Noel Bridwell and is preceded in death by his sister Mary Louise Bridwell Wamsley, and his son Roger Bridwell, who died of accidental drowning May 22, 1963. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Rose Callahan Bridwell, whom he married in March 1934; a special daughter-in-law Sandra Hall and her husband Perry Hall; his grandson Todd Roger Bridwell, his great-grandchildren Mason Todd Bridwell and Morgan Rose Bridwell; his granddaughter Gina Collinsworth and her husband Larry Collinsworth; all of Friendship, Ohio, and his nephew Richard Wamsley of Pitkin, Louisiana.
Noel was a 1933 graduate of Portsmouth High School and a life long resident of Scioto County whose forefathers were some of the earliest pioneer settlers to the area, among them was his great-great grandfather Uriah Barber, who assisted Henry Massie in the original laying out of the city of Portsmouth, Ohio in 1865. Following in the family tradition, Noel actively worked in service to the community throughout his life, serving as a former Nile Township Trustee, Washington Nile School Board member, Postmaster of Friendship Post Office, and a devoted member of Friendship United Methodist Church for over 81 years. Up to the point of his death, he was the oldest living member of the church, serving on the church financial advisory board for many of those years. He was also a member of the Aurora Masonic Lodge, Portsmouth, Ohio, for over 60 years.
Besides an active life devoted to the love of his family and community, Noel was an avid sportsman who enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, and marksmanship. He was an award winning sharp shooter and life member of the Amateur Trapshooting Association, proudly representing the United States in competitions staged throughout the world. In a 1994 world shooting meet held in Madrid, Spain, his performance earned him the crown of Veteran Champion and he was awarded a medal for this achievement by King Juan Carlos of Spain. For these achievements in sharp shooting, he was honored to add his star and signature to the Portsmouth Floodwall of Fame in 1996.
Owning and operating Bridwell's General Store on Route 52 in Friendship for over 53 years with his wife Rose, Noel was a loyal member of the community who had many friends. Above all, he valued his family, friends, faith, and the peace and beauty he found in nature. He will be sadly missed by those whose lives he touched with his own and now leaves behind. In memoriam of Noel Bridwell the family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friendship United Methodist Church, Friendship, Ohio.
Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Thursday, May 31, 2007 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Reverend Matthew Brooks officiating. Interment will be at Friendship Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6 to 8 PM on Wednesday and 1 hour prior to the service on Thursday. A Masonic service will be held at 8:00 PM on Wednesday. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com