BELLES, Blanche Easley - Putnam

Russellville - Mrs. Blanche Belles, 86, retired Putnam and Parke County school teacher, died Sunday morning in the Ben Hur Nursing Home at Crawfordsville. Mrs. Belles was also active in the work of the Russellville Christian Church, teaching Sunday School more than 40 years. She also sang in the choir and Ladies' Church Trio for more than 40 years. Mrs. Belles served on the state board of the Indiana Christian Women's Missionary Society for 21 years and was its District Sec for 10; Recorder 5 and Treasurer 5. She was the 1st President of the Women's Missionary Society and member of the Willing Workers Aid Society. Mrs. Belles was President of the Parke Co Federation of Women's Club for 3 years and past President of the past Matrons Club. She was Past Worthy Matron of Russellville Chapter 311 OES and served as its chaplain for many years. She was a member of the Russellville Home & Garden Club & Greene Twp Woman's Club. Mrs. Belle's was educated at Parkersburg, Waveland and Raccoon. She attended Central Normal College at Danville, Ind and State Teachers College at Terre Haute. She taught school at 3 Parke & Putnam county communities. She was born Dec 15, 1883, a daughter of Robert and Sarah Peyton Lafollette Easley. She married Fred Leroy Belles Oct 4, 1905 at Russellville. Mr. and Mrs. Belles became members of the Russellville Christian Church soon after its dedication which was one month after their marriage. Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Hallie Spencer of LIttle Rock, Ark; a niece, Mrs. Mary Trimble of Little Rock; a nephew, Charles Spencer of Washington, DC; 3 grandnieces and a grandnephew. SHe was preceded in death by her husband. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Russellville Christian Church with Robert Lewis of Seymour officiating. Interment will be in Russellville Cemetery. Friends may call at McGaughey & Son Funeral Home after 2 p.m. today.   ---waw