Earnest J. “Joe” Belt Sr. of Dowagiac passed away on March 9, 2026, at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after a long illness. Born on February 26, 1949, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, to William and Lida (Cox) Belt, Joe grew up in the Ozarks and graduated from Bakersfield High School in Missouri. He served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam before settling in the Hartford area, where he enjoyed a long career with the U.S. Postal Service in Benton Harbor.
Joe was an avid outdoorsman who cherished hunting, fishing, and raising beagles. Above all, he loved spending time with his family, especially his great-grandchildren, who brought him great joy. He is remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother whose quiet strength and love for the outdoors left a lasting impression on those closest to him.
He is survived by his brother Amos (Marian) Belt of Bakersfield, Arthur (Glenda) Belt of Nevada, Missouri; sisters Sharon (Jerry) Teeters of Hartford, Ann (Ronnie) Osborne of Dowagiac, and Alice (Bill) Neal of Caulfield, Missouri; daughter Bethany Hand and son-in-law Tony Danneffel of Dowagiac; son Earnest J. (Christina) Belt of Woodbury, Tennessee; grandchildren Evan (Amanda) Belt of Mineral Ridge, Ohio, Lucas Hand of Kalamazoo, Jackie (Isaiah) Cowan of Dowagiac, Eric Belt of Woodbury, Toby (Sydney) Danneffel of Dowagiac, and Tyler (Alisha) Danneffel of Benton Harbor; and great-grandchildren Sophia DeMarco of Mineral Ridge, Nora Hand of Dowagiac, Avery Cowan of Dowagiac, and Elizabeth Cowan of Portage.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Ramona (Tallon) Belt; brothers James Belt, William Bowen, Marra Bowen, Manuel Belt, and Marvin Belt; sisters Jackie (James) Sumners and Barbara (Richard) Lamb; and grandson Trevor Danneffel.
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