Byron Belden

BYRON BELDEN

Oelwein

Byron Belden, 70, died Sunday morning, Feb. 1, 2015, at his home in Oelwein after a valiant fight with cancer. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 940 Rock Island Ave. (Highway 150 South), Oelwein.

Byron Dale Belden was born Jan. 5, 1945, in rural Elkader, to Randall and Nadine (Bissell) Belden. He attended school at Mederville, Littleport and Arlington, graduating in 1963. Byron was united in marriage to Joyce Olson on Dec. 25, 1967, at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington. Byron and Joyce farmed at Volga for two years, moved to Arlington where he was employed by Seedorf Oil, later Fauser Oil until 2008 when he retired. Byron then worked part-time for Tournier Recycling in Independence.

Byron was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1972. He enjoyed the meetings and Bible study,

as well as having many "spiritual" brothers and sisters. Byron also enjoyed spending time with his family and loved spending time in the timber.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; sons, Brett (Beth) and Jason, both of Oelwein; a granddaughter, Brielle; a step-granddaughter, Courtney Silvestri; a stepgrandson, D.J. Silvestri; a brother, Doug (Lois) of Swisher; sisters, Marna (Jim) Wehr of Cedar Rapids, Cheryl Handel of Lamon and Paula (Steve) Clancy of Knoxville, Tenn.; and many nieces and nephews.

Byron was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Neal (Tiny) and Rick; and two sisters, Kay and Christi.