"I'm not sure what made me think of Charles Belba tonight, but for some reason I decided to do a Google search on him. I was saddened to learn of his death earlier this year. I used to teach religion at St. Mary's Academy in Nauvoo and would bring students to volunteer at the Fort Madison Nursing Home. Charles was always so kind to me and to the students. I send my thought and prayers to all of you, his family, whom I also remember with a smile! Peace to you. Know that your husband/dad touched many lives with his joy!"
In loving memory of
Charles Belba
January 17, 2011
Charles David Belba, 67, of Keokuk, died Monday, January 17, 2001, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Charles was born May 14, 1943, in Dennison, Ohio, the son of Charles Lester and Betty Marie Sterling Belba. He married Patricia A. Marler on September 3, 1966, in St. Louis, Missouri. She survives.
He had lived in Keokuk since 1976 and was a Captain in the Salvation Army. He had worked as activity and social director at several nursing homes, including Lexington Square in Keokuk, Ft. Madison and Parkview in Burlington. He was a member of Montrose Church of the Nazarene where he taught Sunday school and was music and choir director. He was president of the Keokuk Park Board and had served as an official for football, basketball, volleyball, and softball. He participated in church softball and volleyball leagues, Keokuk men's industrial softball league, and YMCA youth sports as a coach. He was a past member of P.T.A.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia of Keokuk; a son, David Charles Belba and his wife, Mandy, of Keokuk; a daughter, Linda Kaye Belba of Keokuk; three grandchildren, Jesse, Sadie, and Abigail; four brothers, James Belba of Illinois, Robert Belba and his wife, Jackie, of Fairmont City, Illinois, Gary Belba of Fairmont City, Illinois and Mike Belba of Florida; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter, Rebecca, in infancy.
Funeral services were Saturday, January 22, 2011, at the Church of the Nazarene in Montrose with Pastor Preston Smith officiating. Burial followed in Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk.
Memorials may be made to Montrose Church of the Nazarene, to the family, or to Keokuk Sports Boosters.
Tributes
"Dear Pat, David, and Linda, I'm sorry to hear about Charles. He was a very good man. A couple memories, I always remembered him coming to the pool with the grandkids to watch them swim. He and I would talk almost daily when he stopped by. Favorite memory was a youth group trip to Worlds of Fun in KC. Dave would talk into his walkman like a secret service agent and oddly enough a park guard would appear. I had won a squirt gun that day and would catch Charles randomly spraying him like some of the others. He got a little growly but we knew he was having fun. My prayers are with him, and your family."
"David, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. Take Care."
"David and Pat, I am so sorry to hear of your loss, believe me when I say I completely understand your pain. I pray that God comfort you in your healing and comfort you in your time of need."
"Dear Pat, David & family and Linda, we are so sorry to hear about Charles. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with you through this time and the days ahead."
"I was saddened to hear that Mr. Belba had passed away. I will miss seeing him at school events and around town. He was such a kind and positive person. I am very sorry for your loss."
"Dear Pat, Linda, and David. I am so sorry for your loss. I can remember when Charles gave me my very first singing lesson and he encouraged me to play my harmonica in front of the church when I was 15. Charles taught me to believe in myself. He was a very special man, and he will always hold a place inside my heart. "
"I am saddened to learn of Mr. Belba's death. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with the family. During my years teaching at KHS, I had the pleasure of getting to know both Mr. Belba and Linda through their active participation in the high school sports programs."
"Pat and family, We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. God will hold you close and help your broken hearts. If we can do anything please let us know."
"Had the pleasure of working with Charles at Parkview. He was always teasing the residents about baseball and rooting on the Cubs to the delight of many! He was a pillar in the community that will be missed and cannot be replaced! Heaven is rejoicing with the addition of another servant for the Lord. Keeping you in our prayers!"
"I was so sorry to hear of Charlie's passing. He was a wonderful catalyst for getting churches together through the vehicle of sports. I am sure he will be missed! Be assured of my prayers and know that I appreciated all he did in bringing a sense of community to all of us."
"I am so sorry to hear about Grandpa. He will be missed at all Keokuk sporting events. His support and love for sports was recognized by all. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will try to take care of Jesse the best I can here at school. God Bless! Shelby Maas -KMS Counselor"
"Pat, David & family & Linda, We are so sorry to hear of Charles's passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and we pray that God will give you strength and comfort during this difficult time. "
"So sorry for your loss. Marietta Palmer"
"Dearest Pat, David (and Mandy,children)and Linda...I know I speak for so many when I say that this is all so crushing. We are hurting with you. Charles walked on ahead of us a little ways and heaven became sweeter. May God's grace surround and carry you now and in the days ahead. We love you all so much."
"I know you will miss Charles. We worked together at Parkview in Burlington. He was so great with all our resident's. He was a friend to me.Faith lets us know he is where he wants to be, with our Lord.We have to be at peace with that. Barbara Walker Fernetti"
"Zannah told me Charles had died as I was driving home from GW yesterday--I stopped the car right in the middle of Main Street and had people honking at me as I tried to absorb the news. Our prayers are with you all; I, especially, will miss him."
"Pat and family just read of Charles death. John and I will keep you in our prayers."
"To David & Linda and the rest of their family, my condolences on the loss of your dad. He was a valuable member of the community and I'm sure he'll be missed."
"We were saddened to hear that Charles had passed away. Myself, Brenda, Kimberly and Derrick were truely blessed to have known Charles and his family while living in Keokuk for 14 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you."
"I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Charles. He was a good man and I know that he is with the Lord. May God wrap his arms around you all at this time. Our prayers are with all of you. "
"We were very saddened to learn of Mr. Belba's death. Our prayers are with all of you during this sad time. "
"I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. He was a good person. I will keep you all in my prayers."
"Dave and family, So sorry to hear the news about Charles. Enjoyed visiting with him a few weeks ago at the girls tournament. Always yelled out my name to give me a hard time about something. Will be greatly missed at our local sporting events. "