Obit: Jeannette ‘Mickey’ Belke, 82, Scottville

Jeannette “Mickey” (Budreau) Belke, aged 82 of Scottville, passed away on Friday, April 18, 2014.  Mickey was called to her heavenly home and was gathered up in the loving arms of Jesus, whom she so much loved.

Mickey was born on January 4, 1932 in Ludington, the beloved daughter of Joseph and Regina (Maternowski) Betka, and graduated from St. Simon School with the class of 1950.  She married James Budreau and together they operated Mobil Oil Company located in Ludington’s 4^th ward until James was involved in a car accident and preceded her in death.  She was also preceded in death by their only child Diana Lynn Tenney a few years later, who also died as a result of a car accident.

Mickey married Thomas Belke in 1987 and they have celebrated 26 blessed years by each other’s side.  Mickey also worked at the Mitchell-Bentley Company in Ludington, but was known more as a Home Interiors representative for many years.  She loved to spend time gardening and being outdoors mushrooming, fishing for bullheads, camping, and deer hunting.  She could often be heard playing her organ for her family, usually a good polka for them to dance too, or telling one of her famous stories.  Mickey was such a good storyteller with great imagination, she wrote a children’s book for her grandchildren called “The Nosy Bunny.”  She looked forward to the many outings with her “sisters”, and Saturday nights were reserved for playing Sequence with family and friends where the girls always outplayed the guys.  Mickey always wore a smile and could brighten the darkest room with her presence.

Along with her husband Tom, Mickey will be lovingly remembered by her stepchildren whom she loved as her own Lisa and Al Horacek, Mark and Dawn Belke all of Scottville, and Heidi Belke of Ludington, her grandchildren Tonya Tenney of Branch, Jarrett Tenney of Colorado, Randy and Cathy Cox, Jennell and Glenn Jackson, Serra and Patrick Saxton all of Ludington, special Czech granddaughter Eliska Varejkova of Prague, CZ, Courtney and Brad Baker of Boise, ID, Josh Belke serving in the US Navy stationed in Seattle, WA, Serena Kuhn of Ludington, and Bonnie, numerous great-grandchildren, 1 great, great-grandchild, her brothers Joseph Betka of Ludington and Alvin Betka of St. Petersburg, FL, her sisters Virginia Benz of Friendsville, PA, Arlene Barrett of Grand Rapids, and MaryAnn and Larry Chaffee of Ludington, her special “sister” Alice Moline of Ludington, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mickey was also preceded in death by another special “sister” Hazel Peckstein. Mickey, her sisters, Alice, and Hazel were virtually inseparable.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Mickey at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 23 at St. Simon’s Catholic Church with Rev. Wayne Wheeler as celebrant.  Burial will follow at Pere Marquette Cemetery.  Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville, and on Wednesday morning from 9:30 – 10:00 am at the church.  Those who wish to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Hospice of Michigan – Mason County, or the St. Simon Food Bank.  Please visit Mickey’s personal memory page at www.stephensfuneralhome.net to sign her guestbook, or to leave a memory of Mickey for her family.