Kendall Belz
August 13, 2011
Kendall Belz, 52, died doing something he loved, Saturday, August 13, 2011, while flying home from an air show. He was born July 29, 1959, in Des Moines to Glenn and LaRay (Hanawalt) Belz.
He was a boat mechanic since the age of 14, was employed by Water’s Edge Marine for 15 years, and was currently working at Camp Dodge as a mechanic. Kendall was actively serving in the National Guard for over 26 years, and spent time oversees in Iraq. He was a board member of the Iowa Military Aviation Heritage Museum in Ankeny, where you could find him every Tuesday working on World War II airplanes. Kendall was also a motorcycle and dirt bike enthusiast, and long time member of the Mid Iowa Trail Riders Association.
Kendall is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sandy; children, Trent (Sarah Buchholz) Belz and Kendra Belz; brothers Kevin and Kelly Belz; sister, Kristy (Darrell) Henning; mother, LaRay Chapman; as well as many nieces, nephews, and beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Glenn Belz.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Friday, August 19, 2011, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, August 18, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family for the support of other Iowa National Guard families in loving memory of Kendall.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Joan Anderson
08/21/2011
Dear Trent, Kendra, And Sandy:
You may not remember me, but I had the privilege of caring for you when you attended Douglas Elementary. There are no words to ease the loss you have sustained. Please know you have a special place in my heart, and that I am sending healing thoughts your way.
As Always, Joan Anderson - School Nurse
Faye Mohring
08/19/2011
Dear KaRay,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your son.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers at
this difficult time.
Your Cousin Faye Mohring
Nadilia
08/19/2011
Sandy, My deepest condolences to you and your family. May Time replace the feelings of grief with wonderful memories of the time you shared together. Please, let me know if there is anything I can do... I can run errands, bring you some delicious home-cooked meals, pet-sit, anything... My thoughts are with you.
Nadilia
James Brammeier
08/19/2011
Dear Kendra, I do not know you well, nor do I know your family, but we can share your sorrow at the death of your father, perhaps easing it if only a little.
Our gracious heavenly Father, however, knows you and your father and all your family so very well that He shares your sorrows as only can a loving and faithful Father.
May His only Son our Lord Jesus fill you with His mercy, surround you with His grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you all safe until a joyful reunion around His throne.
God's grace attend you,
James Brammeier
(one of the pastors at Messiah Lutheran and Loving Arms)
Sarah Gelbowitz
08/18/2011
May God send his angels to bring your family his comforting peace at this time of great sorrow. The world is a sadder place without this wonderful person in it.
SFC Richard Gelbowitz & Sarah Gelbowitz
Richard Schaper
08/18/2011
I knew Kendall thru the Army National Guard and through Water's Edge. Was always a joy to stop and visit with Kendall. One of the few I have known that didnt have a bad thing to say about anyone, he always made you feel good after you visited with him, knowing if there was more people like him in the world, the world would be such a better place. So sorry for your loss...your family is in my prayer's.
The Dorrian's
08/17/2011
Belz family,
Our son Jordan went to school with Trent and Kendra when attending Douglas elementary. I'm not sure if you remember us. We then moved to Johnston also where Jordan and Trent finished high school together. We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
The Dorrian Family
MAJ Travis J Stone
08/17/2011
So sorry for your loss.
Travis, Lauri, Madison and Mackenzie Stone
Ann Fox
08/17/2011
Kendra and family so sorry, your in my prayers. If there's anything I can do for your family please let me know.
Acheson family
08/17/2011
We share your sorrow and your family is in our prayers. We thank Kendall and the entire family for his service to our great country.
Keith Acheson and Family
Robin Symonds
08/16/2011
Trent, Sarah, Sandy and the Belz Family.
The Symonds Family sends their love...truly a sad time for many...our prayers are with you... I did not have an opportunity to meet your father Trent however; I am sure you are your father...which you should be very proud as you are a wonderful young man.
Keep your father's memories close to your heart as he will give you strength throughout your life. I cherish the friendship both you and Sarah have with Abbie as Abbie would say, "Trent is the brother I never had"!
Your father's love for flying, being in the Guard gave him many opportunities others would not have experienced...a life time of memories!
God Bless you, Sarah and Sandy...Celebrate Life.
Love,
Robin Symonds & The Symonds Family
Rob Folden
08/16/2011
Dear Belz Family,
I am truly sorry for your loss. I knew Kendall through the museum, and always enjoyed talking with him when I came out to worrk on the planes. He was a great guy and always had an open, warm, and friendly atmosphere about him. I am very saddened by his loss. He was a true patriot, and a true friend. Your family is in my prayers.
Robert Folden
Volunteer- Iowa Aviation Heritage Museum
rita chumbley
08/16/2011
to the family of kendall belz...i was saddened by the news of kendall's accident.sending you peace,love and sympathy with prayer...i haven't seen kendall or the family for many yrs.with the exception of kevin,and of course my beatiful niece brandi and her family..love them all. even tho i hadn't,your family is on my mind,and i have thought about you all over the years,(since kevin and robin got married..)you are great people,and i have listened to brandi talk about things you all have been doing,such as family get togthers.she loves telling stories about your entire family,she tells them with laughter in her voice and a twinkle in her eyesand her heart filled with love thats how i know,what a great family you all are.kendall was a very good hearted,loving uncle to brandi,(as you all are.)even tho i haven't seen you all for many years,i have a place in my heart for all of you..kendall will be greatly missed by all.i'm sure he is in heaven smiling down on everyone. he is at peace. i believe he must have accomplished everything he was put on this earth to do,and his gift from god was heaven. he was a truely blessed man,and i thank god for putting him in our lives even if it was for a short time..thoughts and prayers are with you all..
Denise Dejulian
08/16/2011
Sandy and Family,
I was so sorry to learn of this tragedy. It is so hard to understand why things like this happen but what a blessing to know that your husband left this place doing something that he enjoyed so much doing. Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers and I pray for your peace and comfort as you travel through this most difficult journey.
Tracy Canada (Casebolt)
08/16/2011
Dear family of SFC Belz,
I am truly saddened by your loss of your loved one. I really enjoyed knowing SFC Belz; we were in 3655th Maintenance Company, as well as JFHQ units together. He was such a joy to be around; he always had a smile on his face! It is extremely shocking to hear this news, but at least he was doing what he loved to do. I'm sure you have heard it over and over again that he will be missed. Well, he truly WILL be missed. He was an awesome example of a soldier as I'm sure he was a family man.
May God bless and keep you during your time of bereavement. I pray He gives you peace and strength to endure this very difficult time.
Prayers lifted up for your family! Blessings coming down on you!
God bless you!
SSG Tracy Canada (Casebolt)
& Family