Joseph C. Belanger
ISHPEMING, MI-Joseph C. Belanger, 85, a longtime Ishpeming area resident and U.S. Navy veteran, passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at U.P. Health System  Marquette, while in the loving care of his family and hospital staff.
Joseph C. Belanger was born in Champion, Michigan, on February 20, 1940, to the late Clarence and Ruth (Currie) Belanger. He attended Champion Schools and later obtained his GED from Westwood High School. As soon as he turned 18, Joe enlisted in the United States Navy. This gave him the unique experience of traveling all over the world on the Naval ship, USS Windham Bay, including Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, and Guam, with his final two years of service stationed in Hawaii. While working as a welder in Milwaukee, he met his wife, Karen. They were married on October 9, 1965. He worked for over 34 years at Northern Tire and was a proud member of the Operating Engineers Local 324, retiring in 2004.
Joe most loved the outdoors. He spent a great deal of time at The First Five camp, hunting, and fishing. He was well known in the area for his cribbage playing, was an avid woodworker, and could be found daily at Sherrie’s Restaurant. He was a diehard Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions fan. He loved spending time with his best companion, Zoey.
Joe most enjoyed spending time with his family. He is survived by his children- daughter, Julie Bengson of Oshkosh, sons, Scott (Diana) and Todd (Karie), both of Ishpeming; five grandchildren- Chelsea (Kevin Jones) Belanger, Megan (Isaac) Geffers, Trevor (Alivia Schodin) Bengson, Brenten (Ella Jezewski) Belanger, and Carsen Belanger; and great-grandson, Nash Geffers, with a great-granddaughter Geffers due in January. He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen in March of 2018, his parents, and his siblings.
Visitation hours will be on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 11:00am – 1:00pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. Services with full military honors will begin at 1:00pm, with Pastor Mike Fox officiating. A celebration of Joe’s life will follow from 3:00pm – 6:00pm at the Tilden Township Hall. A private interment ceremony will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Calumet at a later date.
Joe’s family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jeremy Steele, P.A., the staff at both MCMCF and Brookridge Heights, and the crew at Sherrie’s for the amazing compassion and care Joe received from all of them.
A full obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends are invited to leave notes of remembrance.