MAUMEE, OHIO — Phyllis Berndt Belch, 100, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2023 in hospice care after a full life with many satisfying chapters which included raising a family, global travel, camel rides, an African safari trip, hot air balloon experiences and a visit to the Great Wall of China.
She was born in Latcha Ohio, on April 30, 1922, the daughter of Lester and Velma (Waggoner) Berndt. Her older sister Dondus Schober and her younger sister Lois Coy both predeceased her.
Chapter Two of her life began when she married her high school sweetheart, Don Eugene Belch in 1942. Together, they raised two children in Moline Ohio, spending time in their gardens, at Lakeside, and camping trips around the 48 states until Don died in March 1968.
During these years she was a Boy Scout den mother, Sunday school teacher, pianist and church organist. She belonged to the Lake Grange, state and national granges, was a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Seven Sisters as well as a past member of the Toledo Choral Society.
Phyllis graduated from Lake High School and Bowling Green State University, where she played flute and piccolo in the high school band, the Sears Roebuck Band and the BGSU Concert Band. She taught elementary students for a number of years and started up the first kindergarten program at North Troy Township School.
Chapter Three, after the death of her beloved husband, was filled with running the family insurance business with her son Les Belch. When not working she volunteered at St. Luke’s Hospital, Zoar Services at Heartland and at Lakeside Chautauqua.
In her next chapter she completed her college degree, which had been interrupted by teaching during the war years and began traveling extensively with the Nomad Travel Club, ultimately visiting over 65 countries, all 50 states and 6
continents. Her favorite countries were Kenya, China and Holland. In preparation for the Great Wall of China she readied herself with infinite numbers of stair steps at the Lakeside Pavilion.
Phyllis leaves behind her daughter, Paula Baker (Jane), her son, Leslie Belch (Margaret), Grandchildren Mandy Dolgoff (Jim), Katherine Schwalbe (Grant), Lucas Belch (Vivian) and five great grandchildren: Noah Belch, Addison and Emma Dolgoff and Lindsey and Peyton Schwalbe.
A memorial service will be held at Zoar Lutheran Church in Perrysburg May 6th at 11 a.m. after which the family invites everyone a light lunch and Phyllis’ lifelong favorite treat, a tin roof sundae. At her request her body has been donated to the Department of Neurosciences at the University of Toledo.
Tributes in her memory should be directed to the Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation, the Zoar Lutheran Church Foundation.
