Velma Christine Belanger

The family of Velma Christine Belanger née Burcham is deeply saddened to announce her passing on November 6, 2026, age 83, after a short illness. Born on March 15, 1943 to Grady Burcham and Dorothy Michel née Powell in Ozark, Arkansas, she truly lived a full and remarkable life.

Velma was primarily raised by her grandparents in Ozark during most of her childhood years, at a time and place when cart and buggy were the main mode of transportation. In her youth, she ran free in the hillsides bordering the Arkansas River.

At the age of twelve, she moved to East Detroit, Michigan due to her parents relocating here for work. Coming from the wild and old mountains, the city was a culture shock, but she quickly settled into the life and speed of a coming-of-age teenager of the 50s. She married young and started her family, beginning with son John Raymond McNall, with daughter Carole Christine McNall following soon after. Eventually, the family grew to include son Curtis Grant Zehner, daughter Cynthia (Cindy) Renee Rauf née Zehner,and Christy Clare Yeadon née Zehner.

As an oft-single mom, Velma and her kids gallivanted around the States, moving for jobs such as a real estate broker in new home sales, stockbroker, medical billing, and sales/management. Sharp, witty, and business-oriented, Velma excelled professionally, and was equally bold withraising her children, frequently throwing them all in the car for impromptu trips across the country. People who are interested

in life are interesting people, and Velma was a fascinating and well-read person. She loved learning all she could both experientially and through literature, taking her kids to museums and zoos, writing prolifically, and passing on book recommendations (notably Louis L’Amour) to her grandkids.

She spent her later years pursuing the arts, making her own wood furniture, birdhouses, painting, and was always an avid and excellent seamstress. Even her great-grandkids are still benefiting from her decades-old homemade Halloween costumes. And then, the gardening, of course. Velma made sure her house was just as surrounded with greenery as it was with photographs of her family.

After the heartbreaking loss of both of her sons, taken far too young, she now too has departed this life. We are reminded of how precious and fragile life is, and hold close the hope that one day, all those we have loved and lost will be reunited.

Velma is remembered by and her legacy continues with her children: Carole, Cindy, and Clare; grandchildren: Jonathon, Amanda, Megan, Marc, Kurt, Brandi, Kaili, Jessie, Claire, Sophia, Patrick, and Sydney; and great-grandchildren: Giovani, Luciano, Carmine, Kennedi, Hendrix, Bowie, Eddie, Gus, Verity, Grant, Joe, Sorin, and Saskia.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 10th, 2026, at Sharp Funeral Homes, Linden Chapel, 209 E. Broad St., Linden, Michigan. Friends and family are invited for a gathering hour beginning at 10 AM, with the service to begin at 11 AM. The interment will be at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens in Battle Creek at 2:30PM for her final resting. In lieu of black, her family asks that you wear something floral, to show the continued reach of Velma’s garden.

In addition, instead of gifting flowers, please consider donating to The Farm at Trinity Health Oakland.