Belinda A. Kelch

Gessie, Ind. -- Belinda A. Kelch, 90, formerly of Gessie and a resident of Crawfordsville, Indiana for the past four years, passed away at 6:30 a.m. EDT Saturday (September 23, 2006) at St. Clare Medical Center in Crawfordsville. She was born March 17, 1916, in Cates, Indiana, the daughter of the late Robert M. and Bessie Summers Cates. She married Oral B. Kelch on January 11, 1935 in Gessie, Indiana. He preceded her in death on May 31, 1985. Survivors include: one daughter, Sandra(Russell)Ruby of Crawfordsville, Indiana; two sons, John(Mary)Kelch of Kingman, Indiana and Max(Betty)Kelch of Defiance, Ohio; 11 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; twin brothers, Millard(Grace)Cates of Veedersburg, Indiana and Willard(Betty)Cates of Covington, Indiana. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Nixola Ervin, Lestina Johnson and Bredena Cates. Belinda was a member of the Gessie United Methodist Church for 70 years, where she held many offices, was youth director, Sunday School teacher, Mission Chair and a member of the United Methodist Women. She attended many District, Conference, Jurisdictional and National Assemblies of UMW. Since moving to Crawfordsville, she has attended Trinity United Methodist Church. Her many community involvements include, Home Demonstration Club, 4-H leader, Indiana Educational Secretary's Organization and a member of the Perrysville Chapter #302 O.E.S. for more than 60 years. She was employed in the North Vermillion School Corporation for 25 years, retiring in 1981. After retirement, Belinda represented the Senior group of Area IV at the State Fair in 1987, served as representative on Governor Orr's Council for the Aging and was named as one of the Outstanding Hoosiers in 1988. Belinda was named by Congressman John Myers to serve as a Senior Congressional Intern in 1988, in Washington, D.C.. Funeral services: 10 a.m. EDT Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at the Gessie United Methodist Church in Gessie, Indiana; Officiating: Rev. Larry Stoops; Burial: Lower Mound Cemetery, Perrysville, Indiana; Visitation: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 from 4 to 8 p.m. EDT at DeVerter Brothers Funeral Home in Cayuga, Indiana and 1 hour prior to services Wednesday at the church. Family request contributions may be made to the Gessie United Methodist Church, C/O Donald Hughes, 11559 N 175 W, Perrysville, Indiana 47974 or to the Trinity United Methodist Church Chair-Lift Fund, 110 South Blair Street, Crawfordsville, Indiana 47933.