Francis O. "Bud" Bellon

Former Horicon mayor (1980-82) Bud Bellon died Friday, July 18, 2008, age 90, at Mount Calvary where he has been a resident at Villa Loretto Community Home since April 2005. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Bud and his late wife Patricia (Martin) of 47 years started their family in Green Bay but moved to Horicon in 1953 when he was hired as editor and advertising manager for The Horicon Reporter. All six of Bud and Patricia's children graduated from St. Malachy Grade School and Horicon High School. Bud is survived by: Mary (Bruce) Becker of Port Washington; Kathleen (Stanley) Plageman of Fond du Lac; Dan (Beth) Bellon of Mayville; Margaret (Scott) Schroeder of Fond du Lac; Edward Bellon of Sarasota, Florida; John Bellon of Milwaukee; 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; a brother Bruce (Joan) Bellon of Brown Deer; sister-in-law Rosemary Christman of DePere; and many more relatives and friends. Bud is preceded in death by his wife Patricia, father and mother, Joe and Anna Bellon, sister, Maxine, brother in law, Edward and Patrick Martin, sister in law, Mary Ellen Martin, brother in law, Wallie Christman, brother in law, Vince Ross, and many friends. In 1955 Bud joined Mercury Marine (then Kiekhaefer Corp.) in order to head up its technical writing division, which he retired from in 1980. During World War II Bud was a P-51 combat pilot and went on to be a reservist, retiring in 1969 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During Bud's 34 years in Horicon he served as Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Assistant President (1950-55), Rock River Baseball League Commissioner (1957-64), Dodge County Civil Service Commission Chairman (1981-87), and Secretary Treasurer of the Rock River. League Hall of Fame (mid 1980's) from which he received the Rock Diamond Award from the League in 1998. Locally, Bud co-founded two sports leagues in the early 1960's both of which are still in existence. Bud, together with George Schneider, Milton 'Doe' Coyer, Dick Hunt, and Bob 'BYOC' Young, started and organized the annual Men's Slow Pitch Softball Tournament. He also, together with Ralph 'Butch' Gietzel, the late Carl 'Scar' Niehoff, and Silverius 'Bibby' Hinkes created the Horicon Men's Annual Bridge Tournament.



Bud's body will be laid to rest next to his wife Patricia in Green Bay, WI. The memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 21, 2008, at Villa Loretto, N8114 Calvary St. Mount Calvary east of Fond du Lac for the family, relatives, and friends. Visitation will be from 1-2 P.M. Burial will be in Ft. Howard Cemetery, Green Bay.In Lieu of flowers memorials appreciated to the Heifer Foundation www.heiferfoundation.org.Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and guestbook may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.