Statler Family Obituaries
Litzelfelner, Belva Jean (nee Niswonger)
Belva Jean "Belle" Litzelfelner, 80, of Jackson died Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at her home.
She was born Feb. 18, 1929, in Jackson, to Pink and Ella Welker Niswonger. She and James Litzelfelner were married June 14, 1947, at Jackson.
Litzelfelner was a member of First Baptist Church of Jackson 55 years, where she taught Sunday school 15 years and was a Bible teacher six years.
She was an operator with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. seven years and was a member of Telephone Pioneers and the Hello Dollies. She worked at SEMO Area Agency on Aging nine years, leaving there at age 80.
She was active as a Washington School and Central Tiger alumni. She graduated from Central High School in 1946. She was a Girl Scout leader four years, and held every office in the Jackson PTA. She was instrumental in the building of R.O. Hawkins Junior High School. She had been a Jackson Band Mothers officer, chairwoman of the PTA carnival three years and chairwoman of the March of Dimes.
She had a passion for music and the arts. She was always involved in her children's and grandchildren's activities. She was an avid golfer and a member of Kimbeland Ladies Golf Association and won numerous golf titles. She was an avid Jackson football fan.
Survivors include a son, James Litzelfelner Jr. and wife Lorrie of Jackson; two daughters, Vicki Abernathy and Wendy Leigh Hayes of Jackson; a brother, Gary Niswonger of St. Louis; a sister, Faye Schreiner of Cape Girardeau; three grandchildren, Amanda Eakins of Lexington, Ky., A.J. Litzelfelner and Lacey Hayes of Jackson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two brothers.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Jackson, with the Rev. Grant Gillard officiating. Burial will follow in Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.
Memorial contributions may be given to American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association or First Baptist Church of Jackson.
Printed in the Tuesday, October 20, 2009 edition of the Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau, MO.
©2009 by David Statler of StatlerWeb
Last Updated: November 08, 2010