Charles F. Bellas

Charles F. Bellas, 90, of Cochranton, passed away Sunday, May 4, at Meadville Medical Center after a sudden illness. He was born February 19, 1924 in Kittanning, a son of Charles Jessop Bellas and Clara Belle Flenner Bellas. He married Betty Jane Chestnut on March 22, 1946, and she preceded him in death on March 17, 2010. He was a machine operator at PPG Industries for 40 years. He served in the US Marines in WWII from 1941-1945 in Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands and Bougainville Operations. He was a member of the Union Avenue Methodist Church in Kittanning and attended the Cochranton Alliance Church in Cochranton. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking and spent much of his time helping others. He loved being with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Bellas Schaeffer and her husband Donald of Roanoke, VA; one son Charles S. Bellas and his wife, Ruth of Meadville; 4 grandchildren, Stephanie Loper and her husband of Doug Cochranton, Wendy D. Schaeffer of Roanoke, VA, Benjamin Bellas and his wife Wendy of Chestertown, MD; Matthew Schaeffer and his wife Teresa of Roanoke, VA; 8 great-grandchildren Michael and Kenny Loper, Carter Schaeffer, Archer and Veda Bellas, and Daniel, Amelia and Madelyn Schaeffer. He was preceded in death by his wife, 3 sisters Lena Dunmire, Goldie Ingram, and Minnie McAuley; and a half brother George Belles. Calling hours will be Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 at the Dickson Family Funeral Home, 123 S. Franklin Street, Cochranton. The funeral will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor John McGarvey of the Cochranton Alliance Church. Charles will be laid to rest next to his wife in Cochranton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Yolanda Barco Oncology Center, 16792 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, PA 16335. Arrangements are under the direction of Dickson Family Funeral Home, 123 S. Franklin Street, Cochranton, PA 16314.