Edward Neil Belland, age 96, of Rapid River, Michigan, passed away on April 26, 2011, at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba, MI.
Neil was born December 14, 1914 in Rapid River, the son of William and Helen (Trepanier) Belland. He was a graduate of Rapid River High School and then attended Michigan Tech University. After graduation, he worked for a short period of time at Bethlehem Steel Corp. as a metallurgist. He then went on to work for the Panama Canal Company as an Admeasurer.
In September 1941, he married Norma Acker of Rapid River in the Canal Zone. While living in Panama, Neil sang in a barbershop quartet, and was a member of the chorus. When he retired, they returned to the States and established a new home at Maywood Shores.
Neil was involved with local Barbershop Chorus and St. Charles Church Choir for many years. He was blessed with a beautiful singing voice and sang for many weddings and funerals.
Neal was preceded in death by his parents, wife Norma, sister Dorothy Moynihan, brother Lloyd Belland and sister-in-law Margaret Belland.
He is survived by his wife Geraldine (Jeri) Mitchell-Belland of Maywood Shores, whom he married in 1986, his nieces Margaret Acker of Orlando, Florida, Sherry (Martin) Eid of Livonia, Michigan, Mary Ellen (Chris) Dancisak of Lansing, Michigan, nephew Michael (Kathy) Belland of Rancho Palos Verdes, California and many great nieces and nephews; and stepchildren Deborah Mitchell-French, Robert B. Mitchell, Frederick Mitchell, Thomas Mitchell and John J. Mitchell.
Neil