John Bellcoff
John N. Bellcoff, 90, of Edwardsville, Ill., and formerly of Madison, Ill., passed peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, with his family by his side at Relais Bonne Eau Hospice House in Edwardsville, Ill.
Born June 6, 1922, in Madison, Ill., to the late Naum and Dana, nee Rochkova, Markuly, Bellcoff. John graduated from Madison High School in 1940. He married Diana, nee Nickoloff, Bellcoff on Sept. 20, 1959, in Madison, Ill., and she survives.
He attended Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., majoring in political science while working side by side with his father at Bellcoff and Son Grocery in Madison, Ill. He was drafted and served in the US Army in World War II in the European theatre and attained the rank of staff sergeant. Upon his return from serving his country, John began his banking career at the 1st National Bank in Madison, Ill., where he retired as vice president in 1993. In addition to his career in banking, John had a passion for people and began his 50 years of service to the people of his community in 1947, when he became a Madison Fireman. He spent 21 years on the Fire Department and was assistant fire chief. He had also held with great honor, his funeral directors license, working with Sedlack Funeral Home in Madison, Ill., and assisting other funeral homes in the community with many years of service. John's political career began in 1951 when he was first elected to the Madison School Board. He served on the school board for 19 years and was school board president for 15 of the 19 years. In 1967, John was elected city clerk of the city of Madison and served as city clerk for 18 years until 1985, when he was elected mayor. He was Mayor for 12 years until he retired in 1997. In addition to being mayor of Madison, John was also Madison County Democratic Chairman from 1990 to 1994.
John not only served the people of the city of Madison but he also served the citizens of Madison County and the surrounding Metro East/Bi-State Area. Serving on the Madison County Board of Review from 1957 to 1961, Tri-City Regional Port District from 1963 to 1997 (Chairman for five years), charter member of Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission from 1968 to 2013, past president of Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan Area Regional Planning Commission, executive board member of East-West Gateway Coordinating Council, past president of Bi-State Development Agency, executive board member of Boy Scouts of America and St. Elizabeth's Medical Center Advisory Board.
John was also very proud of his lifelong memberships in many organizations including; Madison Amvets, VFW, American Legion, Madison Lions Club, St. Mary's Men's Booster Club, Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 222, Masonic Lodge, DeMolay Legion of Honor and Ainad Temple Shrine and was bestowed the Shrine's highest honor of 33 Degree in 2000.
John has been a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church in Madison, Ill., in which he served on the board for more than 45 years. In 1997, John retired after 50 years of public service. He devoted countless hours of his life and talent to serving people. He took great pleasure in serving on the many civic boards and organizations over the years as it was his way of always helping others, spreading good will and touching the lives of countless individuals, both friends and strangers, in so many ways.
In addition to his beloved parents, John was preceded in death by his two sisters, Dina, nee Bellcoff, Blattner and Sylvia, nee Bellcoff, Reeves; in-laws, Elia and Yagna, nee Saroff, Nickoloff; brothers-in-law, Nick E. Nickoloff, Christ E. Nickoloff, John E. Nickoloff, Steve E. Nickoloff and Matthew Blattner; and sister-in-law, Helen Nickoloff.
In addition to his beloved wife of 54 years, Diana, he is survived by his two daughters and son-in-law, Kathy and Tim Childers of Edwardsville, Ill., and Norma L. Bellcoff of Edwardsville, Ill. John has one cherished grandson and namesake, John and his very special little doxie "Skeeter." John is also survived by brother-in-law, Robert Don Reeves; sisters-in-law, Mary Nickoloff, Elsie Nickoloff and Ellen Nickoloff; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and great-great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
The family requests memorial donations to The John N. Bellcoff Tamburitzan Scholarship at Southwestern Illinois College Foundation or to Hospice of Southern Illinois Relais Bonne Eau Hospice House in Edwardsville and may be accepted at the funeral home. www.irwinchapel.com
Visitation: Friends may call in celebration of his life from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, 2013, at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City, Ill. A Panikhida wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Masonic service at 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral chapel.
Funeral: A divine liturgy Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Holy Trinity Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church, 1300 Grand Avenue in Madison, Ill., with the very Rev. Michael Arbanas as celebrant. Burial will be at Sunset Hill Memorial Estates in Glen Carbon, Ill.
IRWIN MARYVILLE ROAD CHAPEL, Granite City, Ill.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Kathy, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Steve
Steve Logsdon
February 21, 2013
It was a pleasure to take care of John. It was a joy to hear him talk of his work as Mayor of Madison and his time in politics.
May God Bless his family in their time of sorrow.
Beatrice Miller
February 21, 2013
He always had a smile on his face and was so friendly to my kids. Remember our Sunday dances at Croatian Home? We loved him and will miss him.
Gloria Garcia
February 20, 2013
I'm sorry for your lost.May God be with you.
February 20, 2013
SEMPER FI - FELLOW VETERAN
THANK YOU - FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY
You are one of our heroes.
We will remember you always and miss you dearly.
Take your Warrior's rest for a duty well done.
I wish to extend to members of your family my deepest
sympathy on their loss.
May the force of GOD be with them as they walk through
this difficult time.
May the loving promises of our LORD and Savior comfort
them and give them strength.
On behalf of a grateful nation we leave our sympathy
and a small token of appreciation
for the honorable and faithful service rendered
by your loved one to our Country.
SEMPER FI
U. S. MARINE AND VIET NAM VET
PHIL ODOM
February 20, 2013
We are both so sorry to hear about Mr. Bellcoff. We remember him from when we were very little and he played imaginary baseball with Craig at the grocery store. He always remembered us even as we grew up. He will be greatly missed.
Craig and Cheri Morley
February 19, 2013
Diane, Kathy, and Norma: We just learned of John's passing, and extend our deepest sympathies. We are out of town for the winter, but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jim and Arlene Morley
February 19, 2013
Our Prayers and thoughts to Diane, Cathy & Norma....
Richard & Stacy Asperger
February 19, 2013
Tim (and Family) . . . So sorry to read about the death of John. He was quite a guy and will leave behind a raft of friends. I first met him when I was calling on the folks at FNB Madison on behalf of the First National Bank in St. Louis as a Correspondent Banker. I will always remember his geniune smile and warm personality. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Roger L. Huber
February 19, 2013
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more