Richard B. Bellman

LEIPSIC - Richard B. Bellman, 91, of Leipsic died peacefully at his home at 11:00 a.m. on January 14, 2016.  He was born July 29, 1924 in Hamler, Ohio to the late Joseph and Martha (Meyer) Bellman.  He married Betty Lucille Fike on October 20, 1951 and she survives in Leipsic. They were blessed with seven children.

Other survivors include 5 children: Larry (Mariann) Bellman of Dublin, Carl (Susan) Bellman of Findlay, Faye (Pat) Yohe of Ottawa, Steve (Rhonda) Bellman of Bluffton, and Joyce (Larry) Gordon of Ann Arbor, MI; 6 grandchildren; a step-grandchild; 2 great grandchildren; and 2 step-great grandchildren.  He was the second of nine children.  Survivors include 3 brothers: Leon Bellman of Willard, Virgil Bellman and Paul (Betty) Bellman of Ottawa; 2 sisters: Edna Siebeneck of Ottawa, and Mary (Tom) Wilhelm of New Bavaria; and a sister-in-law: Ruth Bellman Kuhlman.

He was also preceded in death by a daughter: Mary Lou Bellman; a son: Kenneth Bellman; 2 grandsons: Christopher Yohe and Matthew Yohe; 2 brothers: James Bellman and Norman Bellman; and a sister: Viola Siebeneck.

Richard graduated from Hamler High School in 1942 and joined the Army in the service of our country in World War II in 1943.  Most of his time was spent in Calcutta, India where his company set a world record for unloading a cargo ship.  After he was discharged in 1946, he began working for a local contractor doing carpentry, a skill which developed into his life-long business when he joined a partnership with Ralph Kelly in 1947 to form Kelly-Bellman Lumber.  After Mr. Kelly was no longer able to work in 1970, Richard bought out the business to form Bellman Lumber Company.  Richard has always made serving the customer paramount and credited this for his success.  He always enjoyed his work and took only three weeks of vacation in 68 years of business.  Richard was an active member of St. Mary's Parish serving in many officer positions.  He was also a life member of the Ottawa Knights of Columbus, member of the Leipsic VFW, Leipsic Eagles and Leipsic Area Chamber of Commerce.  He enjoyed playing Euchre on Monday nights, bowling, and watching Cleveland Indians baseball.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 16, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Leipsic with Father William Pifher officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Leipsic VFW and American Legion.  Visitation will be 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday and again on Saturday for one hour prior to the service at the Love-Heitmeyer Funeral Home, Leipsic where a K of C and Holy Name rosary will begin at 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church or the Putnam County Homecare & Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed at:  www.lovefuneralhome.com