Melvin L. Belle

Melvin Lamar Belle, 62, of Springfield, Ohio departed this life and transitioned into eternal life unexpectedly on Saturday, February 11, 2023. He was born December 21, 1960, the son of Richard Carl (Josephine) Belle, Sr.

He graduated from Springfield South High School and attended Eastern University in Pennsylvania. Melvin played basketball for Keifer and South High School where they won the State Championship. He worked for Metokote for 28 years, then became employed at Navistar as an assembly line worker. Melvin was a member of the Knights of Pythias and Mason - Champion Lodge #15. He was loved by so many. Melvin was very outgoing and never met a stranger. He was a diehard Bengals fan who loved cooking—grilling was his specialty. Melvin would go out of his way to help others. He loved his family and friends deeply.

Melvin's life and memories will be forever cherished in the lives of his high school sweetheart and devoted wife of 39 years, Jowana M. Belle; daughters, Erica (Kandace) Morris, and Melanie (Vincent) Belle-Ramey; sons, Aaron (Kameo) Belle, RayVonn Harris-Belle, and Melvin (Michelle) Belle, Sr. all of Springfield, Ohio; father, Richard C. Belle, Sr.; 18 grandchildren and one great-grandson; brothers, Richard (Hope) Belle of Wilmington, Ohio, and Eric (Deborah) Belle, and Rodney (Valerie) White both of Dayton, Ohio, and Chester (Sharon) Cole of Columbus, Ohio; sisters: Carletta (George) Jones of Columbus, Ohio, and Anita (Ronald) Hill, Shirley (Sylvester) Day both of Dayton, Ohio, and Karen (Carl) Sisco of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Joyce Belle, Lucretia Kemp, and Kendall (Chuck) Mabra all of Springfield, Ohio; special nephew, Eric Belle, Jr., and Derrick Miller; special cousins, Greg Hammond and Bruce Heights; special friends, Neil Browning, William Hill, Trev Waker, and William Thompson; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Melvin was preceded in death by his very special grandson, Melvin Lee Belle, Jr.; mother, Josephine L. Belle; brother, Artis Belle; sister, Melinda "Lynnie" Scott; paternal grandparents, Otis (Willie Mae) Belle; maternal grandparents, R.B. (Rachel) Williamson; father and mother-in-law, Robert (Maxine) Miller; and brother and sister-in-law, Bryon (Connie) Miller.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2023 in St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 34 West Pleasant St, Springfield, Ohio 45506. Please enter on Mulberry Street side. Interment: Ferncliff Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of KINLEY Funeral Home.