Edward J. Belken was a banker for almost 40 years
Visitation will be Sunday afternoon, Nov. 6, 2022.
Edward J. Belken, 83, of Rockton had several industrial and technical jobs as a young man, but he ended up marrying the love of his life and working for almost 40 years at American/Amcore Bank.
Edward passed away October 31, 2022.
He was born in Beloit, WI on July 30, 1939, to Marcellus Whitey and Helen (Lighthart) Belken. He grew up in the Beloit-Rockton area and graduated from Hononegah High School in 1957. After graduation, he was employed at Greenlee Bros. of Rockford in their training program for one year.
Today you can start getting our free newsletter. Click here.
Ed was a four-year Navy veteran serving from 1958-1962. He spent 20 of those months as a plane captain of a Navy P2V-5F patrol bomber.
After his discharge, he returned to Beloit and was employed by Northern Illinois Corporation of DeKalb for 2 ½ years.
On July 6, 1965, he was hired by American/Amcore Bank and was employed there for 39 ½ years, retiring as an Assistant Vice President on December 31, 2004. The bank closed in 2010.
On October 24, 1964, Ed married the love of his life, Charlene M. “Cookie” Cox of Beloit, WI at Our Lady of the Assumption Church of Beloit. A 53-year marriage of love and family was blessed with six daughters, fourteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
On November 7, 2017, Cookie passed away from vascular dementia.
Ed is survived by his six daughters, Anne (Rick) Keefer, Christine Belken, Teresa (Jim) Pfaff, Beth (Brian) Murnane, Kelly (Brent) Viergutz, Lisa (Jeff) Peterson; fourteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, John (Debbie) Belken; two sisters, Patricia Parker, Kathy (Steve) Bittorf; nieces, nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his wife; his parents; his stepmother, Lucy, who raised him as her own from age 7; his sister, Judy; and his grandson, David Pfaff.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at NorthPointe Terrace for the amazing care provided to Ed during the last few months.
Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, November 6, 2022, in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory – Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Road, Loves Park with a time of sharing at 5 p.m. The family is requesting casual dress, warm conversations and sharing of fond memories. Private family burial will be in Rockton Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to VetsRoll or to the Wounded Warrior Project.
