George Burdett Bellamy

George Burdette Bellamy, 104 of Cairo passed Friday, March 4, 2022. Funeral services will be at 2p.m., Friday, March 18 at the Cairo United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Cairo Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Reverend Kalaba Kapandu will be officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Cairo Senior Center. Apfel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com

Mr. Bellamy was born on January 31, 1918, to Bert and Elsie Bellamy. George entered the U.S Army at the beginning of World War II on February 19, 1941, and was discharged on October 15, 1945. His number was one of the first to be drafted for World War II and he served for almost 5 years. He was a veteran of the Normandy campaign. His Company M of the 134th Infantry Division played a key role in the liberation of the German stronghold of Saint Lo in the march across Europe. George was a Staff Sergeant in the 35th Heavy Weapons Division.

One of George’s cherished keepsakes was the 23rd Psalm bookmarker given to him by a neighbor that he carried with him during his overseas tour. The verse became a young man’s message to calm the pain of battle and was a bookmark he would carry in his billfold the rest of his life.

He was a committed solider and his military experience became a significant part of the life he lived. George valued respect for others, honesty and integrity, shiny shoes, starched shirts, and tight tied square knot neckties. He had a warm smile and was easy to like, and most did.

When he returned to the United States, within 30 days, he married Irma Obermiller at the Boelus United Methodist Church on November 12, 1945. They lived in the Cairo area all their lives and were partners and best friends for nearly 70 years. They were generally seen together both at work and at play. He and Irma enjoyed dancing together, especially the polka and waltz. He loved and respected his family and was blessed with the same love and respect from three generations of his immediate family. George farmed, fed cattle, he enjoyed early mornings in the field, fall harvest, new calves and sale barns. He took great care to make sure the farm was clean and neat. He was fortunate to have spent much of life with a close relationship with his son, Bruce by his side.

George was an active, lifelong member of the Cairo United Methodist Church. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Cairo Post 333 and a lifetime member of the Ravenna VFW. He was honored for 75 years of membership in American Legion with a standing ovation at the 2021 Legion baseball tournament in Lincoln. He enjoyed serving on the Cairo School Board for many years and cherished the friendships of the Cairo Men’s Coffee group.

George is survived by his son Bruce Bellamy and daughter in-law, Cheryl of Lincoln; three grandchildren and their spouses, Abbey (Bellamy) and Steve Boyer of North Carolina, Barton and Lea Bellamy of Lincoln, Adam Bellamy and Andrea Friesen, her children, Alexis, and Asher; seven great grandchildren, Allie, Kylie, Carson, Griffin, Piper, Giana and Leo; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as other friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Irma (Obermiller) Bellamy; brother, Elmer Bellamy; sister, Maxine Church, and nephew, Larry Bellamy.