Obituary of Henry James Belair

Henry James Belair passed away peacefully September 22, 2016 surrounded by his loving family at the home of his daughter Renee. Henry was born in Erie, July 18, 1920, the son of the late Austin Belair and the late Jennie (Jacobs) Belair. Like many of “The Greatest Generation,” he enlisted on November 20, 1942 at the age of 22, and honorably served in the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Sheridan (APA-51) in the Pacific Theater during World War II and was a lifetime member of the Erie Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3925. Henry married the love of his life, Dorothy Phyllis Reed on June 1, 1946 in Toledo. Together they raised ten children while Henry worked the family farm and at Dana Corporation for thirty-one years, retiring in 1982. In addition to his parents and his wife of fifty-six years, his passing was preceded by an infant son, Phillip; two brothers: Elery and Kenneth; three sisters: Rosemary Barron, Frances Strauss and Lillian Knakiewicz. To cherish his memory, he leaves sevens sons: Dennis of Toledo, Robert (Darlene) of Monroe, Roger of Hudson, John of Petersburg, Lynn (Patricia) of Erie, Richard of Petersburg, and Steven (Maralyn) of Kingston, Tennessee; three daughters: Renee Schweitzer of Ida, Susan (Jerry) Whitaker of Anderson, South Carolina, Lori (Pete) Heider of Temperance; one sister: Jeanette Hagen of Florida; twenty grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm on Monday, September 26, 2016 at Merkle Funeral Service, 9156 Summit Street, Erie (734)848-5185. He will lie in state from 10:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2214 Manhattan St, Erie until A Mass of the Resurrection at 11:00am on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 with Father David Cybulski officiating. Following Mass veteran’s honors under the auspices of Erie Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3925 will be presented in front of the church. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, send a floral arrangement, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com, then selecting Add A Memory. The family wishes to thank Promedica Monroe Hospice for their care and assistance.