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Mark Belmar

October 11, 1964 - March 31, 2022
Kalamazoo, MI

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Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries
448 N Burdick St
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 345-2974
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Life Story / Obituary


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Mark Lee Belmar, 57, passed away March 31, 2022, at home in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After a ten-year battle with arterial disease, God took Mark in his sleep. He was born October 11, 1964 to Louis and Charlotte Belmar in Hastings, Michigan. Mark grew up in Delton and Portage, Michigan. School was difficult for Mark who suffered from dyslexia; in spite of his handicap, he became an avid reader.

Mark was an inquisitive child who spent many happy days with Grandma and Grandpa Garrett in Delton. Although Mark was a lefty, Grandpa taught him to fish, hunt, and appreciate the outdoor life, without forcing him to do it all right-handed. His early years were full of adventure with Grandpa’s expeditions and his buddies in Delton. Being the youngest of five children by nine years, he had unique relationships as “Uncle Mark” with his two oldest nephews: Mike and Aaron.

His work experience began in a fast-food restaurant and concluded with over twenty years as a respected custodian at Western Michigan University. Mark’s work ethic carried over to helping his mother, Charlotte, even when she needed to reside in an assisted living community.

Mark will be remembered by family and friends as an avid lover of animals, the outdoors, watching wildlife, and planning his next fishing or hunting trip. Even when it became painful for him to walk, he still enjoyed a slow, paced walk in the woods. We’ll all remember Mark’s long pony tail he wore to tame down his curly locks.

He is survived by his siblings: Bryden (Luisella) Pennock of Italy, Carol (Patrick) McConnell of Cody, Wyoming, and Denise Williams; nieces: Elizabeth and Rachael Pennock, and Keri Sabedra; nephews: Brian, Scott, and Kent McConnell, Mike and Keith Bishop, and Cory and Brandon Williams. Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Charlotte Belmar; sister, Barbara Jensen; nephew, Erik Aaron Jensen; and maternal grandparents, Robert and Greta Garrett and Merle and Clara Cobb.

Cremation has taken place and no service is planned as Mark requested. Interment will be at Barryville Cemetery next to Charlotte Belmar. With his grey and white beard and glasses, Mark enjoyed playing Santa for the children of a homeless shelter Dec. 25, 2021. Donations may made in Mark’s name to Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries, 448 N. Burdick, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.

Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.