The Richmond News, Dec. 23, 2022

Margaret Bellis

Margaret Mae Bellis, 79, of Rayville, died unexpectedly Monday, December 19, 2022, at her home. Margaret was born on September 23, 1943, in Richmond, the daughter of Adolph and Minnie Mira (Sloan) Zuklin. She was united in marriage to Raymond Lewis Bellis of Lawson on March 23, 1964; he survives of the home. Additional survivors include: two sons, Raymond (Victoria) Bellis, Jr., of Kearney and Daniel Bellis of Lee’s Summit; daughter, Myra (John) Barker of Lawson; nine grandchildren: Catherine Young, Marcus (Jayme) Barker, Jonathan (Kelly) Bellis, Jacob (Cheyenne) Bellis, Katelyn (Dean) Beach, Alexis Bellis, Kyle Bellis, Gracie Chowning, and Ellis Chowning; 13 great-grandchildren: Brian, Aaron, Kylie, Mallori, Lexi, Natallie, Rayelynn, J.R., Beau, Ollie, Emerson, and Summer; and three sisters, Carol Stevens of Richmond, Catherine Nichols of Richmond, and Helen (Frank) Syphert of Polo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Adolph Zuklin, Jr., and Joseph Zuklin, two sisters, Minnie Jo Halterman, and Loretta Zuklin, daughter, Ronda Sue Barrett, and grandson, Tyler Joseph Barker.

Margaret was reared and educated in the area of her birth. She was a housewife and homemaker. Her only, most important job was raising all of her family. Margaret was always there to lend a hand and to do anything for anyone. She was hard-working and always helping the kids; they said they had to sit down, or she would never take a break. Margaret was of the Christian faith. She would do anything for anyone to help them out. For Margaret, it was all about family.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Margaret Bellis Memorial Fund. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.

Visitation with funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, with visitation beginning at 1:00 P.M., with services to follow at 2:00 P.M. Burial will be in Sunny Slope Cemetery, Richmond. Please remember to share your memories of Margaret with the family by visiting www.thurmanfuneralhome.com.