Gary Lee Belka Jr., age 51, of Wayland died on Tuesday, May 23.
Gary was born on Aug. 24, 1965, to Gary Lee Sr. and Mary Lou (Kiel) Belka in Plainwell.
Gary was a butcher by trade starting at Harding’s Market in Wayland and was famous for “Gary’s Homemade Brats and Kielbasa.” When not working, he enjoyed fishing, hunting and NASCAR, especially his Dale Earnhardt Sr. coat given to him by his father.
He is survived by his spouse Jo Anne Panyrek, whom he married Dec. 16, 2000. Also surviving are parents Gary Lee Sr. and Mary Lou Belka, sister Bobbie (Alann) VanDuine, mother-in-law Donna Panyrek, in-laws Jim Panyrek and Dorothy (Norm) Seger along with several aunts, uncles and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents and father-in-law Joe Panyrek.
Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25, with a Rosary at 6:30 at Kubiak-Cook, Wayland Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 26, at SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Gun Lake, with family receiving friends at the church from 10 a.m. until time of service. Burial will take place at SS Cyril and Methodius Parish Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions in Gary’s name may be made to SS Cyril and Methodius Building Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kubiakcook.com
