Ira E. Belcher

Ira E. Belcher, 93, of Celina, Ohio, passed away on January 5, 2023 at Mercer Health in Coldwater. He was born June 19, 1929 in Dayton to the late Paul Dresser and Addie Belle (Miller) Belcher. On December 28, 1951 he married Marilyn R. (Ayers) Belcher and she survives at the residence in Celina.

Other survivors include his children, Cynthia (David) Morgan, Celina, Todd (Tracy), Fredericksburg, Virginia and Tracy Hill, Celina; a grandson, Remington Hill, Celina; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his siblings, Paul Belcher, Jr., Robert Belcher, Betty Messner and Donna Kline.

Ira was a 1947 graduate of Celina High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Army as a staff sergeant. After serving three years in the National Guard, he was called to active-duty October 1951.

Ira worked as a meat cutter for 16 years at Gerhans IGA in Celina. He than joined Wilson Shoe Store as manager and later as an owner.

Ira was a member of Celina Masonic Lodge, Valley of Dayton Scottish Rite as 32-degree Mason and a Noble of Dayton Antioch Shrines, Aug-Mer 32-degree Club, Aug-Mer Shrine Club. He was Shriner of the year in 2001 by the Dayton Antioch Shriners and was “Honoree” of the Fall Ceremonial of Shriners in 2015. He was also a member of Grand Lake United Methodist Church in Celina and the Mercer County Elks Golf Club for 35 years.

He was very active in the Celina Community in many ways as a trustee of Celina Area Chamber of Commerce, President of Celina Retail Merchants, served as Councilman for City of Celina and member of zoning appeals. He was also a member of the Battele Commission Planning Committee and was a Trustee of North Grove Cemetery.

Ira was general Chairman of the Lake Festival Steering Committee and Chairman of the Lake Festival Parade Committee for over 20 years. He was also General Chairman of Celina Area Bicentennial Committee of 1976 and member of Celina Sesquicentennial Committee of 1984.

The Community thanked Ira many times for his efforts, he was named Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year”, the Achiever Award from WMER, Community Citizen Award from Mercer County Hopewell Grange and Presidents Award from Chamber of Commerce. He also received recognition from the Ohio State Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives.

Funeral services will begin at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Cisco Funeral Home in Celina with Rev. Matt Overman officiating; where the family will receive friends from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm prior to the services at the funeral home. To conclude the visitation there will be a Masonic Service.

Burial will follow at North Grove Cemetery in Celina; where military honors will be provided by the Celina American Legion Post # 210 and Celina VFW Post # 5713.

Memorial contributions can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children.

Cisco Funeral Homes of Celina & St. Marys are honored to care for Ira and his family. To pay respects and to leave online condolences or memories, visit www.ciscofuneralhome.com or Cisco Funeral Home Facebook page.