Joseph A. Bellinghausen was born September 19, 1932 in Montrose, Missouri to Peter and Elizabeth Bellinghausen, the second oldest of five children. He departed this life May 25, 2005 at 72 years of age. Joe lived by the idea that the only way to make a difference was to get involved, and so, he did just that – proudly serving his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954. Upon his return from duty, he was employed by Welling Hardware which would become Bellinghausen Hardware when he took ownership of the store in 1971 until its close in 1993.
In 1957 Joe married Mary Ann Graham and together they raised eight children – Pat, Mary Kay, Joan, Jim, Denise, Donald, Norman and Karen – who grew up always knowing the importance of good education and other essential life lessons like how to check the oil, play gin rummy and cast a fly rod, thanks to their dad.
Joe was a lifetime resident of Montrose and over the years played a very active role in his community. He served as a member of the Montrose City Council from 1955 to 1959 and the Montrose Fire Department from 1955 to 1974, including ten years as Fire Chief. Soon after, he accepted the job of town mayor (1972 through 1978), spearheading significant upgrades to the town's water utilities. Over the years that followed, Joe put his time and energy into a number of local organizations, including St. Mary's School Board and PTA, Henry County Health Board, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church committees, Knights of Columbus, VFW and the Henry County Economic Council.
But Joe also found time to enjoy the lighter side of life. Many sunny days found him perfecting his swing on the golf course, tending his garden or intent on his latest home improvement project. He liked to plan leisurely trips with his family, whether to the beach, the mountains or somewhere in between.
He was preceded in death by his sister Rose, and is survived by two brothers and a sister. He is also survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann, his eight children and 18 grandchildren who will greatly miss his smile, his integrity, his humor and his guidance.