Joseph Hugh Belger, Sr.

Joseph "Joe" Hugh Belger, Sr., 92, of Columbus, passed away January 3, 2024 at home. He was born in Hemingway, South Carolina on November 17, 1931 to the late William Jake and Wista (Haselden) Belger, Sr. He married Dorothy McMillian on June 26, 1955, and she preceded him in death on March 17, 2007.

Those left to cherish Joe's memory include, son, Greg Belger; daughter, Stacey (Jim) Burgess; grandchildren, Case Belger (as well as his mother, Lynn Hill), Nate (Megan) Bayliff, Emily Bayliff, and Julie Burgess; nieces and nephews; very close friends, Francine Bowes & family, Pat, Melanie, Tara, & Grace Leneghan, and Kenny and Kathy Bowes. Along with his parents and wife, Joe is preceded in death by son, Joseph "Joey" Belger, Jr.

Born in Hemingway, SC. He moved frequently within the state due to his father's job with the railroad, eventually settling in Ehrhardt, SC. He attended Clemson University graduating with a degree in Ceramic Engineering. After college he spent several years working for DuPont. In 1970 he moved his family to Paris, TN taking a job at Lingl Corp, designing brick kilns. While in TN he enjoyed coaching baseball, singing with the choral society, working on his classic English Ford and was a regular attender of his church.

In 1980 he moved his family to Worthington, Ohio to work for Harrop Industries, also designing brick kilns. He began attending Grace Brethren Church where he remained a member. He was an avid builder of model airplanes, loved puzzles and was never far from his tool box. Although it took some time, he even came to enjoy watching the Buckeyes play football, but Clemson was always his #1 team.

A Memorial service will be held at Grace Polaris Church, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 3pm. Family will receive guests starting at 2pm.

A funeral service will be conducted later at Ehrhardt Baptist Church with burial in Ehrhardt Cemetery. The Newcomer Funeral Home and Herndon & Sons Funeral Home are honored to serve the Belger family.