James H. Bellinger

James H. Jim Bellinger, age 61, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Wednesday, December 21, 2011. He was born on Friday, January 20, 1950 in Slayton, Minnesota. He was the son of Freemon and Rensina (Schuur) Bellinger. Jim grew up in Wellsville, Kansas, moving to Rantoul, Kansas then to Ottawa, where he made his home the past thirty years. He graduated from Wellsville High School with the class of 1968, and then attended business management courses at Neosho County Community College. Following his military service, Jim worked for Kmart Distribution Center in Lawrence, Kansas in 1971, unloading trucks; 1971 to 1974, Coleman Diecast in Stanley, Kansas as a buffer/polisher; 1974 to 1979, Continental Can in Lenexa, Kansas in warehouse utility. In 1979, he began work for Duke Manufacturing in Ottawa as a painter, finisher, assembler, and in shipping and receiving for twenty-five years, then worked for Gill Studio in Gardner, Kansas, thirteen years. Jim served in the United States Navy in active duty from 1969 to 1971 and as a reserve 1971 to 1975. His tour of duty included Vietnam. He was a member and deacon of Rantoul Presbyterian Church and Ottawa Community Foursquare Church; member and past president of Rantoul Ruritan Club; and council board member of Rantoul. He is survived by his: Mother-Rensina Bellinger of Rantoul, Kansas; Son-Mark Bellinger and Randy Wright of Jefferson City, Missouri; Son-Brett Bellinger of Ottawa, Kansas; Daughter-Heather Nigh and her husband, Jimmy, of Baldwin City, Kansas; Longtime Companion-Debbie Gragg of Ottawa, Kansas; Brother-Jake Bellinger and his wife, Carol, of Rantoul, Kansas; Sister-Sharon Brewer of Ottawa, Kansas; Brother-Billy Bellinger of Waverly, Kansas; Sister-Lori Redick and her husband, Jerry, of Lebanon, Missouri; Brother-Kenny Bellinger and his wife, Blanca, of Rantoul, Kansas; Sister-Kathy Sobba and her husband, Ken, of Princeton, Kansas; Sister-Patty Higbie and her husband, Jeff, of Iberia, Missouri; Sister-Wanda Wood of Rantoul, Kansas and Grandchildren-(4)Addison Nigh, Ryder Nigh, Emerson Nigh, Gunnar Nigh. He is preceded in death by his Father-Freemon Bellinger. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 27, 2011. IN STATE: Mr. Bellinger will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 1:00 p.m. Monday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends from 6:00 to 7:00 Monday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.