Mary E. Belke

Mary E. (Lambert) Belke, 89, of St. Joseph, passed away January 4, 2013. Mary was born September 14, 1923 in Huntington, West Virginia to Homer T. & Mary (Webb) Lambert. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1941 and then attended the Twin City Business College. She retired from Heath/Zenith Company in 1985. On December 4, 1944 she married Richard Belke in St. Joseph. Mary was an active member of her church. She became a member of the American Chapter #234, Order of the Eastern Star in 1947 and held many offices. Christmas was Mary’s favorite time of the year and she enjoyed baking cookies and candy for her family and friends. Mary is survived by her husband Richard K. Belke of St. Joseph; two daughters Janet (Mark) Weaver of Kentwood, MI and Sharon (Richard) Moore of Gainesville, GA; grandchildren Dr. Brian C. (Jeanna) Weaver of Dublin, OH and Jennifer S. (John) Higginbotham III of Bellbrook, OH; three great grandchildren Brayden and Madeline Weaver and Luke Higginbotham; and many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents two brothers, James C. and Howard A. Lambert, and two sisters, Eleanora M. (Stanley) Larsen and Frances Louise (George) Crane. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Monday January 7, 2013 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at St. Joseph First United Methodist Church, 2950 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph with Pastor Harris Hoekwater officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph, MI. Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph First United Methodist Church or the American Chapter #234, Order of the Eastern Star of St. Joseph. Those wishing to share a memory of Mary online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.