John Edward Belan 1943-2021 Obituary
John Edward Belan, age 77 years, a resident of Elkins, WV, departed this life Friday evening, May 7, 2021 at his home. He had been in declining health, although death was unexpected.
He was born Sunday, July 11, 1943 at Elkins, WV, a son of the late John and Ila Rose Ross Belan. On November 18, 1967 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at Coalton, WV, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Corina “Pongie” DeMotto, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Scott Edward Belan and wife Allison of Durham, NC, Stephen Michael Belan and wife Mandy of Elkins; one sister, Lois Jean Griffith of Evans; sisters-in-law, Barbara Lawrence of Sutton and JoAnn Yeager of Coalton; three grandchildren, Anna, Maddie, and Samuel Belan; six nieces and nephews, Craig Griffith, Kara Casto, Clark Lawrence, Jay Lawrence, Pam Yeager and Ramie Yeager; special cousin, Bobby Hornbeck and several other cousins.
Preceding him in death are his Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Jimmy and Irene DeMotto; brother-in-law, Gary Griffith; and one nephew, Greg Yeager.
He was a graduate of Coalton High School with the class of 1961. He was a Veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1965 to 1967. He was a radio operator for the West Virginia State Police, and later worked at the supply house for the Pittston Coal Co. He retired in 2005 from the West Virginia Department of Highways as a supply clerk in the parts department with twenty three years of service. John was a youth sports coach for many years and a regular swimmer at the YMCA. He was an outdoorsman and hunter, an avid gardener, and loved working in his yard. He loved all WVU sports, especially basketball as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Steelers. He enjoyed hanging out on Saturday mornings at his buddy Smoke’s, but what he enjoyed and treasured the most was spending time with his three grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Saint Brendan Catholic Church at Elkins on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 from 1 PM to 3 PM. On Wednesday at 3 PM, the Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated by The Reverend Father James E. O’Conner and interment will follow at the Saint Brendan Cemetery at Elkins, WV. Masks and social distancing will be required.
John Edward Belan 1943-2021 Obituary
