Verland Joseph "Joe" Belfry, 66, of Traverse City passed away of natural causes on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at his home.
Joe was born on October 16, 1954 in Detroit to La Vern J. and Carolyn Hope (Shuck) Belfry. On Saturday, June 12, 1976, he married the love of his life Penny Lynn Hull in East Lansing at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Together they lovingly raised four children.

Honorably Joe served our Country in the United States Army. Following his time in the service Joe worked as a Pastor for several years and recently worked at Mackinaw Brewing Company almost two decades where he made many friends that he treated as family. Joe found peace in hunting and fishing and loved to take his grandkids hunting, especially on the Youth Hunt Weekend. This "special time" will be sorely missed by his future generation of hunters. Joe enjoyed playing guitar and added much harmony to time he spent with friends and family. He loved to spend time with his family especially his grandchildren. Fondly, Joe will be remembered for his unconditional genuine love and devotion to his family, and his ability to make friends where ever he went. Hugs and kisses from Grandpa Joe will be sorely missed.

Joe is survived by his children, Joseph Christopher Belfry of Traverse City, Jennifer Lynn (T. J.) Craig and Jacob Timothy (Sara) Belfry, all of Traverse City; Jessica Hope (Steven) Goble of Athens, AL; her beloved grandchildren, Bahle, Olivia, Jack, Sawyer, Lydia, Lillian, Lucas, Mary, Isaiah, Evelyn, Wesley, and Stella, his mother Carolyn, his sister Lavone (Doug) Shafer as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Joe was preceded in death by his father, Lavern Belfry and love of his life Penny Belfry (Hull).

Visitation will take place on Sunday, April 11, 2021 from 5-7pm at East Bay Calvary Church. Funeral Services will take place on Monday, April 12 at 11am with a visitation held one hour prior also at the Church. Pastor Brain Conover will officiate. Private family graveside services will take place at Maple Hill Cemetery in Cadillac.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, Tax-deductible contributions in Joe's memory be sent to:
Wild Life Division Michigan DNR
Funds directed toward the Youth Hunt Program
Check Made Out to State of Michigan Non-game Wildlife Fund
PO Box 30451
Lansing MI 48909

Please share your thoughts, memories and photographs of Joe by way of his online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com or Facebook Page https://m.facebook.com/Joe-Belfry-memorial-page-100368048846110/

Please visit https://live.eastbaycalvary.org/ to view the live stream of the service on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 11am.