James Edward Le Bel, 73, McClusky, ND formerly of Massachusetts, died Monday, April 1, 2013 at the St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, ND.

Services and interment will be planned at a later date.

Jim was born on June 19, 1939 in Merrimac, Massachusetts. He grew up and attended school in Merrimac. He was a member of the local Boy Scout troop and the Big Brother organization. He served two years and was honorably discharged from the United States Army. After returning home, he married Ruth Herrmann of St. James, New York, and worked in the Engel-Lewis shoe factory, ran a trash removal business, and was a volunteer fireman, all in Merrimac. He later married Eleanor Toohey of Methuen, Massachusetts and worked for Ogden-Martin of Haverhill and for the City of Haverhill. They lived out east before moving to McClusky in 2003. Jim had been a member of the Plaistow, New Hampshire Fish and Game Club, the American Legion, AmVets, and other organizations.

He is survived by his wife Eleanor of McClusky: three sons, Stephen Le Bel of Seabrook, New Hampshire, Andrew Le Bel of Exeter, New Hampshire, James Le Bel of Edgewater, Colorado; daughter, Marianne Garfi, Groveland, Massachusetts; 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by an infant son, Fred and his half-brother Arthur of Ormond Beach, Florida.