John W. Belger II
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John W. Belger II passed away on December 26, 2016 at the age of 79. John was a man of simple pleasures; family, community, hard work, and personal accomplishments were his top priorities.
Growing up on the family acreage near Raytown, Missouri he learned to “leave things better than he found them.” He passed this idea on to his children and grandchildren, by example, and the legacy continues.
John’s grandfather, Richard Belger, began Belger Cartage Service in 1919. Under the direction of several generations of Belgers, the company has provided quality service in Kansas City and the region for 98 years. John started working as a youngster and made it his life’s career. Additionally, he served as an officer in several industry organizations.
After retirement, John worked with Ernest Callaway as a carpenter’s apprentice. He used these newly acquired skills to serve his community. He enlisted the help of friends to complete several renovation projects at the Raytown Historical Museum.
John met his future wife, Charlotte Rhoads, in the 7th grade. Together they attended Raytown High School, Missouri University and were married in 1957. This was a wonderful partnership that lasted two weeks short of 60 years.
John leaves behind his wife, Charlotte Belger, his children, Kim Snyder, Kevin Snyder, John Belger III, and Shirley Belger, his brother, Richard Belger, his grandchildren, Alicja Carter, Brad Carter, John Belger IV, Melaina Belger, Konrad Snyder, Rachel Snyder, Jonnelle Gentry, Jared Gentry and five great grandchildren.
Private family service.
“Celebration of John’s Life” is planned for a later date.
Donations are suggested to the Raytown Historical Museum.
PO Box 16652, Raytown, MO 64133
I knew John since the first grade and consider him one of my closest friends. He was always one of the most popular and respected students in school. He will be sorely missed by all that knew him.
I met John when I volunteered to work at the Raytown Museum. He was a quiet, though friendly man with a lot to offer. He always had a project going for the improvement of the Museum. We will miss him. May your fond memories of him sustain you through this difficult time.
Bob and Virginia Schoeller
We know John from Raytown High, John was a quiet man with great knowledge about a lot of subjects. He was a great Friend. May all your memories and love you have for him, bring you peace.
Sincere heartfelt condolences Charlotte & family, I know this is a hard one. John was such a wonderful friend to us all. He has been missed already. Someone my late husband & I knew from Raytown High School & thought so much of. Peace be with you all.
John – We are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Betty Allison
So sorry to hear about John. My prayers are with you, Charlotte and your family. Many great memories of John with the Allison family ever since high school days.
John was a great man. He will be missed by many. Know that Kris and I are thinking of you all during this difficult time – sending hugs! Kris and Vicki Turnbow
Charlotte and Belger family. As you know John and I go back a long way . I could not have ask for a better friend and buddy in school and later in life. We had a lot of laughs together and with you. Keep your chin up. And to the family also.
Charlotte I am so saddened to hear of John’s passing. He was one of the nicest guys I’ve ever known. His smile was contagious and everybody that knew him liked him immensely. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Much love
Prayers Charlotte to you and family. Stay strong and think of the good memories you and John shared as we all will. Hugs
John was a friend; John was an asset to his family, friends, and the community…what more can a person be?
John will be sorely missed, but he is now at peace, no longer suffering. Our hearts are with you Charlotte, and we are always available if you need us.
Paul and Ruth
I knew John as a grandparent, a parent and an advocate of the Raytown schools. His kindness to me, as I had the blessing to teach all his grandchildren, touched me in ways he will never know. He was a model of support and kindness and I will always be grateful to him and his family for treating me so special. Poo was an incredible model to his grandchildren in his service to his community. I am so happy to have been graced to know him and his family. Prayers and love to all of the family.
Jeannie Barnard
To the Belger family. My condolences, thoughts and prayers for you all during this difficult time. I was glad for the years I got to hang with him and the “Fox Drug” group for coffee. Many great stories and always his quiet humor. He was a great man in many ways. His friendship with my son Ian was fun to watch too. Peace be with you all and God Speed John II
You left this world a better place
This family is a dear one, and we will greatly miss John. Holding the entire Belger clan in our hearts.
David, Cathy, and Harper Grace Allie
Charlotte, Bless you and the Family at this time. Have many wonderful memories of John back in the high school days and I know he gave you, the family and all of his many friends special memories also.
Charlotte, Pat and I send our most sincere condolences for john’s passing. He was a mentor to me on the football field. Often,
during my Junior/Senior season, I had to sub for him on the field due to his shoulder dislocating problem.
I hope you can recall seeing me as a Uniformed Caesar’s Palace Casino Security Officer back in the early 1070s…I was at the Casino Cage position as a Chip-Runner to the pits and suddenly the two of you were right behind me here in Las Vegas. It was a real thrill for me to see two friends from Raytown, MO after leaving there for the Navy June 28th 1956.
John was a good friend and charlotte, you still are…email us if there is anything we can do for you in the future.
Charlotte, Kim, and all the family…I just learned of John’s passing and my heart hurts for you all. When I think of Poo, the traits I remember are strong, steady, a man of strong convictions; a generation of convictions and beliefs that sadly are missing in our society today. He passed those down to his children and grandchildren and they will profit greatly. I appreciated his influence on myself and especially my children, who were blessed to be a big part of the “valley life” as they grew up. I pray for your peace of mind and that your memories will grow so sweet and replace much of the heartache that you feel now. Hugs to you all.
John was a man for all seasons and the entire Allen family send along their condolences to you Charlotte, and the extended Belger family. Your tribute in the second sentence of John’s obituary is his legacy — a man of simple pleasures who valued family, community, hard work and whose personal accomplishments were noteworthy. In all of us, he left a lasting memory.
John was the epitome of a true gentlemen. Many hearts are heavy today. He left a footprint on the community that will be difficult to fill. Prayers and sincere condolences to Charlotte and all the family.
Heartfelt condolences to both the Belger and Snyder families. John was a simple man of strong convictions and deep devotion to his family. I’ll be keeping you all in my thoughts.
John was a man that made you feel proud to be from Raytown,his presence will be missed by many,but not forgotten
I know you have many friends,but we are just blocks away I will call you later.Sorry for your loss
Charlotte and family, you are in my heart. John always had a big smile and a hug for me, and I always told him he wore the best aftershave! I will miss him.
Dennis has always thought very highly of John, we are so sorry for your loss.
We want to send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers th Charlotte, Kim, and family. My dad, Warren Haxton spoke so fondly of “Johnny,” as favorite student at RHS. A Raytown community leader that will be truly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers for Charlotte and the entire family. Our folks, Larry and Virginia Mosiman, thought so much of “Johnny Jr.” and Charlotte. I’m sure they were with the large group in Heaven to greet him.
My condolences to you Charlotte, Kimmer, and the rest of your family. May God’s peace be with you all and light perpetual shine on John.
John was such a kind and gentle helper to Marvin and I as we learned the ropes of volunteering at the Museum. We always looked forward to him being the first to drop by, just to see if we needed anything or had any problems. One memory is how safe he made the standing class photo display as quickly as he could after Charlotte had taken a tumble because of a “leg” on the stand. My prayers are with you and your family Charlotte.
My thoughts and prayers are for both the Belger and Snyder families. I am so sorry for your loss. I have so much respect for the family and all they have do.
Brent and Kimberly Beets
Thank you for your wonderful company and great life. The Kansas City area has been a better place because of your family and Belger Cartage.
We are so sorry for your loss. There are no words that can comfort the Belger family but know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Unruhs
Charlotte
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. He will be missed by all
I knew John from our days in printing circles. He was a great. friend and will be missed by many. In later years he Bob Johnson and I would meet for lunch and talk old times. My prayers are with John’s family
Charlotte,
Please accept my codolences for you and family.
I am sorry for your loss and will pray for your family during this tough time.
I enjoyed so much becoming acquainted with John. His conversation with our family resulted in our participation in the Raytown Educational Foundation. Our prayers join you in celebrating his life and legacy. For the Robinson family, Jim III
John was always friendly, kind, and gentle. We met him thru the Museum activities. So sorry to hear of your loss. If there is any thing we can do to help you, Charlotte, please let us know. We will keep you in our prayers.
I first met John in the early 1950s when Dick and I hung out together nearly every weekend. Of course, John was in high school and way too involved in his life to mess around with us. However, he was always very kind to me and so much fun to be with. As we grew into adults, and senior adults, we saw each other frequently at Raytown events and it was always like seeing a long lost brother. He and Charlotte went together well; such a handsome and dynamic couple. We all grieve together over this terrible loss.
Our prayers are with Charlotte and family.
As a cousin, we know Johnny as a fun person and an excellent host, Thank you for those experiences.
John has joined the Master Carpenter.
Such a great picture of one of my “first loves”. That smile was always a winner! Thank you, Charlotte, for being the perfect partner for him. Larry (Knau) North and I will continue to remember our good times at Spring Valley that include both of you. May God surround you with love and peace.
Emily Jo Berry Jensen ’55
I just found out of John’s passing.
He was a wonderful neighbor.
My prayers are with you and your family
Esther Ryan
Born same day as John and was at Mizzou with him. And, as a matter of record, Brlgrt Cartage was formed when Brlgrt senior worked for my grandfather at George W Gates Co on downtown Kansas City…great guy from a terrific family
Duke Neff