LAURENS, SC---Services for Richard Griffin Shell Sr, 79, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2000 in the First United Methodist Church of Laurens. Visitation will be 6:30-8 this evening at Gray Funeral Home of Laurens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Research, 114 East Earl Street, Anderson, SC 29621-5602, or the First United Methodist Church, 244 West Main Street, Laurens, SC 29360. Mr. Shell, of 117 Maplebrook and husband of Lillian Pearson Shell, died Saturday, May 6, 2000 at National Healthcare in Laurens. Born in Laurens, he was the son of the late John C. Shell Sr. & Margaret Miller Shell. He served in the Navy during World War II in the Pacific, especially through the Okinawa Campaign. After the war, he recruited for the Navy out of Savannah and Charleston, and was in the reserves for 20 years. Mr. Shell was the owner/operator of Triangle Gas Service for 32 years. During those years, he was a member of S. C. Propane Gas Association, having held the office of Secretary and President of the association. He was also in the Southeastern Propane Gas Association, serving on different committees. He was an elected Commissioner of Public Works for 24 years. Mr. Shell was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church, serving as a Steward and head usher for years, as well as Trustee and a term as Board Chairman. He was very active in the life of the Church and belonged to the Wesley Class and Men of the Church. He was instrumental in the establishment of Laurens County Safe Home, when the organizers needed a home & support for abused women. He was a Past President of Laurens Exchange Club and a life member of the Palmetto Masonic Lodge #19. Surviving are his wife, Lillian Pearson Shell of the home; daughters, Diane Hagen & her husband, Bruce of Abbeville, SC, Margaret Plexico & her husband, Harry of Columbia, SC; son, Richard G. Shell Jr. & wife, Mary of Laurens, SC, Maj. George Allen Shell & his wife, Lilliana of Fort Sill, OK; grandchildren, Ryan & Marie Plexico, Allison & Lauren Hagen, Griffin & Sutton Shell, and Victoria, Carolina, & Phillip Shell; brother, John C. Shell Jr. & his wife, Louanne of Ninety Six, SC; numerous nieces & nephews. [The State, Columbia, SC, Sunday, May 7, 2000].