Emil Bellich

Emil F. Bellich, 89, of Thomson, Illinois, died Friday, September 30, 2011, at his home in Thomson. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at the Law – Jones Funeral Home in Thomson, with a rosary service held at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fulton, Illinois. Burial, with full military rites, will follow the Mass. Memorials may be directed to Mercy Hospice, Clinton, Iowa, or to the York Township Library in Emil’s memory.
Emil was born June 13, 1922, in Savanna, Illinois, the son of Stephen and Mary (Notz) Bellich. He graduated from Savanna High School. Emil joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, started by President Roosevelt, for over a year and served in Washington State. He then enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. Emil married Rosalie Hand on June 25, 1949, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fulton.
After serving his country, Emil went to work for the Savanna Army Depot as a Machine Shop Supervisor. He was credited with and awarded many patents for his work there before retiring. Emil was also a volunteer fireman and part time police officer in Thomson. He was also a longtime village trustee. He was a member of the Thomson American Legion, the Savanna Moose Lodge, and the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Emil was a skilled cobbler and owned Bassler’s Shoe Repair in Clinton, Iowa after retiring from the Savanna Army Depot.
Emil enjoyed sports, especially baseball and the Chicago Cubs. He was a devoted fan of his children and grandchildren, rarely missing an event that they participated in. He enjoyed dancing with his girls and singing to his great grandchildren on his lap. Emil and Rosalie also enjoyed spending time with their special friends, Evelyn and Bob, and Fay and Darlene. Emil was an extremely devoted man, to his faith and to his family.
Emil is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife Rosalie Bellich of Thomson, Illinois, his four children: Patrick J. (Jan) Bellich of Bloomington, Illinois, Louann (Tom) Hoch of Thomson, Catherine (Randy) Temple of Monticello, Illinois, and Joseph J. (Kelley) Bellich of Thomson. He also had nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren. Surviving brothers are: Nicholas Bellich of Belvidere, Illinois, Paul (Phyllis) Bellich of Savanna, Illinois, and Tom Bellich of Savanna.
Emil was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Marie Molander, Lorraine Youngren, and one at birth; and one brother, Albert Bellich.