March 22, 1922 - Oct. 28, 2013

ELKHART — Edgar J. "Jack" Bellows, 91, of Elkhart, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 9:03 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, in his home, with his family at his side.

He was born in Elkhart on March 22, 1922, to the late Kenneth and Opal (Whiteley) Bellows.

On March 6, 1949, he married Joyce A. Wing in Elkhart. She survives at home.

Also surviving are his children, Edward "Ed" (Marilyn) Bellows and Nina (Eldon) Hershberger, both of Elkhart; grandchildren Laura (Elhamy) Lawndy of Charlotte Hall, Md., Amy (Kevin) Oakes of Goshen, Sarah (Matthew) Hauck of Nappanee, Tyler (Sarah) Hershberger of Indianapolis, Anya (Phil) Albonetti of Fishers, Amanda (Aaron) Yoder and Heather Bellows, both of Elkhart and a special "adopted grandson" from Germany, Pascal (Juliet) Nguyen; as well as great-grandchildren Julia and Jennah Lawndy, Zachary Hauck and Brielle Oakes.

A daughter, Susan K. Rhodes, preceded Jack in death.

A celebration of Jacks's life will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, 2013, at Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart. Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013 — with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. — at Elkhart Reformed Presbyterian Church, 2323 17th St., Elkhart, with the Rev. Keith R. Magill officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Street Cemetery in Elkhart, with graveside military honors being rendered by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and the Goshen Veteran's Honor Guard, made up of contingents from VFW 985, DAV 15 and American Legion Post 30.

Jack wore many "hats" in his lifetime. He drove a bus for the Elkhart Community School Corporation for nearly 25 years. Additionally, he worked as a draftsman for many years at the former Johnson Machine and Press of Elkhart and the South Bend Lathe Company, he was a professional wedding photographer for 10 years, and he retired in 1994 after 13 years as an attendant for the Indiana Toll Road. He was a member of Elkhart Reformed Presbyterian Church, was active in the Elkhart County Genealogical Society and served honorably in the U.S. Army in the 339th Infantry in Italy during World War II, where he received a Purple Heart.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the church. Online condolences may reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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