Rev. George A. Belknap, 79, a retired missionary and United Methodist minister, died Sunday at his Williamsburg home.
He and his wife Peggy, served 18 years as missionaries in Burundi, Africa.
He also served churches in East Detroit, Evart, Jackson, Traverse City, the Kewadin Indian Mission, and Rockford.
After his retirement in 1978, he worked for nine years as a bus driver for the Kalkaska Public Schools.
He was nourished by his faith and surrounded by the love of his family, which he cherished. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening, and oil painting. He lived his life vigorously with an infections laugh and a twinkle in his eye, always cheerful, positive and reaching out to others.
Born in Boyne City on Jun 1, 1915, he was the son of Benjamin and Margaret (Spura) Belknap. On Sep 2, 1938, in Horton Bay, he married Marguerite E. "Peggy" Ford, who survives.
Also surviving are sons George Jr (Karolyn) of Traverse City and Byron of Kalkaska; daughters, Martha Belknap of Rapid City, Helen Wright of Marshall, and Ruth (Gene) Houston of Williamsburg; sisters Helen (Ray) Priebe, Marie (Ed) Pearson, and Bessie Koteskey; 10 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Jim, and two granddaughters.
Funeral services were held Thursday at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Traverse City. The Rev. Robert Mayo officiated. Memorial gifts may be directed to Emmanuel United Methodist church.
Arrangements were made by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
