By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
11 Comments
  • Visitation

    Friday, June 17, 2022
    4:00 to 8:00 pm and
    Saturday, June 18, 2022
    8:00 to 9:30 am
    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

  • Service

    Saturday, June 18, 2022
    10:00 am
    St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Martha P. Bellm, 91, of Highland, IL, passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Cedarhurst of Highland, surrounded by her children.

    She was born August 11, 1930, in Breese, IL, to Edward and Philomena (nee Huelsmann) Kniepmann. She married Clinton P. “Mick” Bellm on September 18, 1951. Their marriage lasted 42 wonderful years, before He passed on June 27, 1994

    Martha was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, the Highland Women’s Club, and a past member of the Altar Society and Daughters of Isabel.

    She was raised on a farm north of Trenton, IL and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School. She worked at Maulton Bartley Shoe Factory until it closed, then went to the Trenton Shoe factory until she married. She stayed home and raised her family until 1969, when she started working in the cafeteria at St. Paul School, where she stayed 25 years. During that time, she also managed the kitchen for the Kirchenfest chicken dinner, and oversaw many other dinners and receptions held at the school.

    Martha enjoyed working in her yard, caring for her flowers, and playing cards. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and NCAA Basketball fan. She enjoyed traveling with friends and taking bus trips to the casinos. Martha mostly enjoyed her family, and loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great great-grandchild.

    She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Philomena Kniepmann; husband, Clinton “Mick” Bellm; grandson, Joshua Rakers; son-in-law, David Vosholler; sisters, Mary (Alfred) Hammer, Marcella (Owen) Brendel, Ann (Orville) Litteken, Rose (Marvin) Sudholt, Rita (Edgar) Liening; brothers, Edward (Norene and Beatrice) Kniepmann, Joseph (Theresa and Patricia) Kniepmann; brother-in-law, Francis Lechner.

    Martha is survived by her loving children, Nancy (Lester) Rakers, Trenton, IL, Mark (Lynn Holden) Bellm, Highland, IL, Sandra (Philip) Jones, Cincinnati, OH, Cynthia Vosholler, Highland, IL, Sara (Terry) Gross, Grantfork, IL, Julie (Dale) DeBourge, Pocahontas, IL; grandchildren, Jason (Mary) Rakers, Hollie (John) Darnell, Justin (Donna) Rakers, Clint (Jenn Murray) Bellm, Cody Bellm, Philip “PC” (Kassie) Jones, Kimberly (Ryan) Wirz, Stephanie (Travis) Gerstner, Valerie Vosholler, Nichole (Brian) Rinderer, Natalie (Craig) Koenig, Tyler (Erica) Gross, Vanessa (Matt) Markelz, Jacob DeBourge; nineteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; sisters, Bernadette Lechner, Jane (Stan) Neibur; numerous nieces, nephews, & great nieces and nephews.

    Memorials may be made to ProMedica Hospice or Cedarhurst of Highland.

    Visitation: Friday, June 17, 2022, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, and Saturday, June 18, 2022, from 8:00 to 9:30 am, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, June 18, 2022, 10:00 am, St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

    Clergy: Fr. Piotr Kosk, Parochial Vicar, St. Paul Church

    Interment: St. Joseph Cemetery.

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

11 Condolences
 
  1. BettyJane Voss / June 14, 2022 at 10:25 pm

    So sorry for your loss, Martha was a very sweet lady.

  2. June Yann / June 15, 2022 at 7:48 am

    Prayers to comfort the Family and loved ones at this difficult time 🙏❤️🙏

  3. Bob & Beckie Schrumpf / June 15, 2022 at 10:29 am

    Sending sincere sympathy to her family. God Bless 🙏🙏

  4. Connie Tauser / June 15, 2022 at 11:12 am

    Sending my sympathies to the family. Came as a true shock. Especially since my family just lost our dad.

  5. Carolyn S Firestone / June 15, 2022 at 11:44 am

    I extend my condolences to Martha’s family. May she Rest In Peace. May your memories provide some consolation. We were neighbors and some of my sisters were classmates of her children so we were blessed to know her. As I remember she was a petite but classy lady and always looked nice. She was blessed with a loving family and served her fellow human beings with her domestic skills. May she Rest In Peace. Sincerely Carolyn (Isert) Firestone

  6. Wade & Betsy Weinel / June 15, 2022 at 12:50 pm

    Ms Martha was such a sweet lady. I smile remembering sitting at her kitchen table when she gave our 2 small children each their own pack of M&Ms as if they were her own grandchildren. We will forever be grateful for her kindness and generosity, – The Weinel Family

  7. Dawn Burg / June 15, 2022 at 8:46 pm

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.

    God Bless ,
    Tom, Dawn and Nic Burg & the Staleys

  8. Diane K Boeser / June 16, 2022 at 10:15 am

    My deepest sympathy to Martha’s family. I will never forget Martha’s kindness and all her help as I took over her job at St Paul cafeteria when she no longer could be there as she cared for Mick. She was a beautiful lady with a big heart! So grateful to have known her! I pray that you are comforted by all the wonderful memories you have. May she rest in Peace.

    God Bless,
    Rich & Diane Boeser & family

  9. R / June 16, 2022 at 12:07 pm

    To the BELLM FAMILY in their time of grief, I’m truly sorry for your loss. May ‘God’ give you peace during this most difficult time.

  10. Terri (Isert) Wright / June 16, 2022 at 8:08 pm

    My sincere sympathies to Nancy (Bellm) Rakers & the entire Bellm family. Martha was a such a sweetheart of a lady-very kind, patient , hard-working….she always had a smile for you…many fond memories of her & her children, growing up with them in school, riding the bus together…
    So sorry for your loss. May she Rest In Peace.

    Terri (Isert) Wright

  11. Donna Stoff / June 17, 2022 at 3:22 pm

    Cindy

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Your mom, Martha will be missed by everyone who knew her. In my heart of hearts, I know that she is in heaven with Jesus talking with my parents, sharing stories and thinking of us. Remember, you will alway have fond memories of the time you share with your mom, But more importantly you have her cookbooks of the delicious receipes she cooked and baked. She was the most welcoming and helpful school cafeteria lady that I have ever met. Cindy, perhaps we could met for lunch sometime. Love and Friendship Class of 1975. Donna Stoff

Leave a Condolence or Memory: