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James M. Coughlin High School Wilkes University

FUNERAL HOME

Snowdon Funerals Homes-Kingston

420 Wyoming Ave

Kingston, Pennsylvania

James Belles Obituary

Name: Calling hours for James Belles
Start: 2022-09-29T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-09-29T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Snowdon Funerals Homes-Kingston

WILKES-BARRE — James Belles, 74, of Wilkes-Barre, passed away Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late James H. and Amelia R. (Watkins) Belles.

He graduated from Coughlin High School in 1966, received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from Wilkes College (now Wilkes University). He left his employment as a vice president at First Eastern Bank to become a high school educator. He taught at Wyoming Area Secondary Center for 27 ½ years.

His Catholic faith was the most important thing in his life, and he was a daily communicant for over 50 years.

In addition to his parents, James was preceded in death by his brother, Charles.

Surviving are his nephew, Charles Belles, Jr. and his wife Lisa, Wilkes-Barre; nieces: Dawn Zavec, Wilkes-Barre, and Amber Andrews, Ephrata; great nephews: Cody, Dalton, Michael and Noah; great nieces: Skymarie and Mackenzy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Sept. 30, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Fatima Parish, 134 S. Washington St., Wilkes-Barre. Interment will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call Thursday, Sept. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Harold C. Snowdon Home for Funerals, Inc., 420 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. All are asked to go directly to church on the day of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, South Abington Township, PA 18411.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Times Leader from Sep. 27 to Sep. 28, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for James Belles

15 Entries

Dalton Bells

April 22, 2025

I am Jim's great nephew. My uncle Jim was great. I remember thinking he was boring when I was younger. He lived alone, worked as a teacher, had a cat and plants, he liked to walk, go to church, and do crossword puzzles. He was retired and really good at math, so anytime my brother or I needed help with a math assignment we would go see uncle Jim. I used to associate him with school and discipline, but not in a harsh way. I never in my life saw uncle Jim get even remotely flustered, he was always calm and joyful. Back when I was young, stability and good work ethic were boring, but once I got to be tweenage to teenaged, I really began to appreciate my time with him. I never payed attention to church that much until during the pandemic. After the pandemic died down I began attending mass with him, because I felt kind of lost and looking for a purpose. My time with uncle Jim showed me a life with structure, work ethic, and purpose. Uncle Jim went a lot of places since he liked a variety of things and I would tag along. I felt more part of the world and my community. When at my uncle Jim's extremely tidy house, I would often sit there with him and we would talk about family, school, what we saw in the community, and our hobbies and passions. When uncle Jim passed on, it was my first year of high school and I was having a really hard time, but because of the work ethic, religion, and other passions I learned from him, I was able to get through the school year with good grades and be on my way to a nice life. I am happy I was able to spend time with uncle Jim and learn what he had to teach.

Tyler K.

October 20, 2022

Mr. Belles was one of my teachers during my senior year of high-school. Very nice man, very polite, and excellent teacher. He will be missed by many..

Rev Joseph Elston

October 18, 2022

I was sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Belles. He attended our 11:30 am Mass every weekday for a long time and was a prayerful, quiet, person who always greeted me and was an inspiration to me. He always had his prayer book with him and although I did not know him that well, he had left an impression on the "regular" crowd that attends that daily Mass. We will celebrate an 11:30 Mass in the near future in his memory. God bless his family and fortunate former students. Fr Joseph Elston, Pastor, St Joseph Marello and St John the Evangelist Parishes, Pittston, PA.

Kyla Kasisky

September 30, 2022

Mr. Belles taught my Accounting class during my senior year of high school. He was one my favorite teacher, he truly knew how to make someone smile.. he was the sweetest

Charlene Berti

September 30, 2022

I think the highest accolade an educator can receive is for a student to say I chose my life´s work because I was inspired by you. Kara´s words echo what countless other students also received from Jim´s quiet, powerful, constant inspiration. Day after day, he performed his job in a professional, kind, steadfast way, never losing sight of the fact that he was shaping young minds.
We are all better for having known him.

Liz Pilch

September 30, 2022

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Deanna Mennig

September 30, 2022

I had the pleasure of enjoying lunch with you every Wednesday. You were so kind and such a positive influence on so many children. It was an honor knowing you. Thank You Mr. Belles.

Terry Jemio

September 29, 2022

Jim was a terrific guy and he was a joy to work with at the bank. Always ready to do his best and willing to help everyone. I was lucky to have know him.

Kara Dooner

September 29, 2022

Mr. Belles taught my Accounting class during my senior year of high school. His class is what made me decide to become an accountant. I received an exceptional education at Wilkes University and now have a successful career in Public Accounting. Mr. Belles taught me the basics of accounting, the importance of critical thinking and attention to detail, as well as discipline and professionalism. I cannot thank him enough for his expertise in the classroom and his impact as an educator.

Narda Sperrazza

September 29, 2022

Jim was am exceptional person,.......kind and considerate, gentle, soft spoken, truly interested in the well being of his students and colleagues. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word and just a wonderful role model to students and friends. He will be remembered fondly and missed.

Robert

September 28, 2022

Jim was the best of the best.

Joe Williams

September 28, 2022

When we were both in college, Jim and I worked together on the night shift at First Eastern Bank processing checks. Jim was intelligent, kind, hard working and very diligent. We lost touch when I moved out of town but I'll bet he was an excellent teacher! RIP Jim.

Len coleman

September 28, 2022

Having taught next door to Jim for his entire teaching career he was truly an inspiration to me as well as to all the lucky students that he educated. Wyoming area has many great educators and the reason it is one of the best school districts is because of teachers like Jim belles. Rest In Peace my friend.

Jennifer Ciampi

September 28, 2022

Grateful to have worked with Jim at Wyoming Area. He was always so kind, smiling, and just a genuinely good guy. Thankful to Jim for always being so thoughtful especially when it came to our students. Thankful too for all the times he helped me with balancing the AP payment, he would giggle when I would call him in a panic! He never hesitated to lend a hand and a smile. You will be missed Jim. Rest in Peace.

Christine Rutledge

September 27, 2022

Jim was the most compassionate person. He loved teaching. He taught me as a student and then later, became a mentor when I began teaching. He was so positive about life and made everyone smile. Thank you, Jim, for your positivity, compassion, and commitment to making each person better for interacting with you!!!

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