Joseph M. Bellerive

Joseph M. Bellerive passed away on December 28, 2024, at Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, Kansas at the age of 98. He was born on November 11, 1926, in Damar, Kansas, the son of Josephfa and Elsie (Brin) Bellerive. Joseph married Eleanor Newell in Damar on January 15, 1946. They enjoyed nearly 64 loving years together.

Joseph was an active member of the St. Thomas Catholic Church his entire adult life. His involvements included Knights of Columbus, Parish Council, Eucharistic Minister & CCD teacher, to list just a few. A successful farmer his entire life, he moved from renting the small Ostmeyer farm to owning and running his own farming operation. He often subsidized this with income from a variety of enterprises including a fur business, selling minnows and bait, cattle ranching, a Holstein calves bottle feeding operation, raising sheep and farrowing hogs.

His many passions included his love of bow hunting deer, making archery bows and arrows, open day pheasant hunting with family, teaching his children horseback riding, gardening, fur trapping, pond stocking to supply his famous crawdad boils, and of course catching big fish. He started the annual camping family reunion known as the “Bellerive Bash.”

Joseph will be dearly missed by his loving family and many friends. Survivors include his four sons: Joseph “Joey” (Joni) Bellerive of Stockton, Peter (Joanie) Bellerive of Stockton, James (Dawn) of Olathe, KS and John and Amy of Lawrence, KS; two daughters: Kathryn and Leneal Locke of Argyle, TX and Norma and Floyd Harris of Downs, KS; 22 grandchildren & 26 great-grandchildren: Shiela (Bill) Davis and daughter Maddy; David Maddy; Kala (Chris) Davis and children Brett and Jacob; Cory (Stephanie) Locke and children Christopher and Lucy; Dustin Locke; Bridget (Ian) Olsen; Holly (Monty) Nelson and children Kersti (Derek) Freel, and Ryker; Hiedi (Justin) Rexroat and children Jackson, Jerek and Joel; Hope (Brian) Spano and children Dagan and Darshea; Hosea (Ashley) Harris and children Harper and Hazel; Shawna (Richard) Atwill and children Taiylor and Hailey; Josephfa “Seph” (Betsy) and daughters Emily and Audrey; Nicole (Shaun) Linenberger and children Will, Parker and Zeke; Stephen (Emily) Bellerive and children Henry, Samson and Annie; Jonathan (Chloe) Bellerive and children Zolia and Mia; Andrew Bellerive; Eleanor “Ellie” Bellerive; Alex Bellerive; Regan (Cole) Cook; Noah Bellerive; Haven Bellerive; and Eliza Bellerive.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife Eleanor; his brother and sisters, Noda Demarteau, Bernita Genter, Velois Demarteau, Betty Jo Bellerive, Mary Lou Arpin and Maynard Bellerive; and his daughter Elaine Maddy and her husband David Vane Maddy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at 10AM at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton. Burial will be at 2pm in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Damar. Visitation will be on Monday 6-8PM with a Vigil & Rosary Service at 7PM at the church.

Memorials contributions may be made to St. Thomas Catholic Church or Solomon Valley Manor and sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.