Gary R. Bellis

Gary R. Bellis, 71, of Onawa, Iowa, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2013 at his home in Onawa. Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at the Faith Lutheran Church in Onawa with Pastor Joel Gueningsman officiating. Burial will follow in the Jordan Cemetery in Soldier, Iowa. Visitation will be held 5:00 – 8:00 P.M. Monday, April 15, 2013 at Rush Family Chapel in Onawa with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa. Gary Robert Bellis was born November 10, 1941, in rural Castana, Iowa, the son of Robert and Etheleen (Meadows) Bellis. He moved to Onawa with his family in 1952 and attended Onawa High School. Gary and Mary Bugg were united in marriage on November 23, 1963 in Burlington, Iowa. To this union, three children were born. Gary worked in car sales and at the Case Factory in Burlington for seven years before returning to Onawa in 1970. There he worked for the Ryan Implement, Heisterkamp Equipment, and later Schenkelberg Implement for 39 years. He retired in 2008 due to ill health. He was a member of the Onawa Faith Lutheran Church, a cofounder of the Archery Club, and a supporter of Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. He enjoyed hunting, traveling, and people. Survivors include his wife, Mary of Onawa, IA; three children, Laura Robinson of Woodbury, MN, Robert (Heather) Bellis of Onawa, IA, and Shawn (Anna) Bellis of Onawa, IA; eight grandchildren, Todd Robinson, Lisa Robinson, Adam Bellis, Blake Bellis, Katie Weidt, Shawna Bellis, Sara Bellis, and Brad Bellis; two brothers, Jerry (Pat) Bellis of Onawa, IA and Tony (Dixie) Bellis of Onawa, IA; and one sister, Irene (Kenneth) Mings of Onawa, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial fund has been established at the Blencoe State Bank in Onawa.