Neil Blaine Cofell

Neil Blaine Cofell, 57, Bismarck, died of multiple myeloma on April 7, 2011, at 9:43 p.m. surrounded by his loving family and friends. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 16, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Bismarck with Rev. Jake Kincaid officiating. Neil was born on December 29, 1953, to L. Joaquin and Diana Isaak Cofell, and was educated in Edgeley, ND, until 1965. He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1971 and went on to UND and NDSU with degrees in psychology, civil engineering, and construction management. He returned to Bismarck to the family business, Cofell's Plumbing & Heating, and Excavating, Inc. with his father and brother. He was also a member of Bismarck Chamber of Commerce. Neil married Elaine Spelmainis in 1977 after both graduating from college. They have two sons, Aaron and Adrian, in which they enjoyed Boy Scouts and outdoor activities together. Neil was involved with Boy Scouts, an ordeal member of the Order of the Arrow and Eagle Scout received in 1968 along with his God and Country from Troop 14. His sons also obtained their Eagle Scout ranks. As an adult scouter at unit level, he has served Tiger Cubs, on Basic Leader Training and Pow Wow Staffs, Den Leader Coach, Cubmaster of Pack 181, Committee Commissioner, attended Webelows Camp at Triangle Y and Troop Committee member of Troop 89. At the district level he has served as trainer for Cub Scout Basic Leader and training, on Advancement Committee, a FOS Campaign Worker for Family and Community, Unit Commissioner, District Commissioner, Fall Camporee Chairperson, trainer for Commissioner Training a University of Scouting, Executive Board Member and Council Commissioner, and Endowment Chairperson for the Council. He sat on Eagle Boards of review and was a Woodbadge member. Neil holds numerous scouting awards – Tiger Cub Organizer, Den Leader Coach, Cub Scouter, Cubmaster, Boy Scout Fast Start, Boy Scout Basic Leader, Arrowhead Honor, Commissioner's Key, District Commissioner's Key, Bachelor of Commissioner Science, James E. West, 1910 Society, Heritage Society, National Eagle Scout Association member, a District Award of Merit and a Silver Beaver Award in 1998. Neil also was a confirmed member of the First Presbyterian Church, served on various committees, and was also an elder. A Pontiac enthusiast for many years, he developed a collection of many rare cars, and was an encyclopedia of knowledge. He was a Pontiac Oakland Club of America member and GTO Association of America member. He leaves many close car friends all over the country, his closest being Mike Dahl and Jim Mott. He is survived by wife, Elaine; sons, Aaron and Adrian Miranda; parents, Jo and Diana Cofell; parents-in-law, Ed and Erika Spelmanis; brother, Jay Sandra Cofell; brother-in-law, Egon Mary Spelmanis; two nephews, Jayson and Ryan Cofell; and grandson, Ayden Cofell. In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations are preferred to First Presbyterian Church or Northern Lights Council of Boy Scouts.

Neil Blaine Cofell

December 29, 1953 - April 7, 2011