Joseph A. Belany

DULUTH, Minn. - Joseph A. Belany, 61, of Mesa, Ariz., and Ironwood, Mich., died Wednesday, April 23, 2014, in Duluth.

He was born March 19, 1953, in Ironwood, son of the late Joseph and Adeline (Arducant) Belany. Joseph attended Ironwood schools, graduating from the Luther L. Wright High School with the class of 1971. He graduated from Gogebic Community College in Ironwood in 1973, and he received his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1975.

After graduation, Joseph was employed by Red Owl Food Stores in Ironwood for several years. He then moved to Arizona, where he was employed by Arizona State University, retiring in January 2014 as assistant manager of the bookstore.

Joe was a former member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ironwood and a current member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. He was a past member of the Ironwood Knights of Columbus 1396. The University of Wisconsin-Superior was an important part of Joe's life. He proudly served on the UWS Alumni Association Board.

He is survived by four cousins, Diane Pazzioli, of St. Clair Shores, Mich., Denise (Dr. Albert) David, of White Lake, Mich., Dolores DeVault, of Monica, Penn., and Dennis (Sue) Laurila, of Phillips, Wis .; and numerous other friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 3, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood. The Rev. Michael Hayden will be the celebrant.

Visitation will be on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

A luncheon will follow at Tacconelli's in Ironwood.

Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood.

Arrangements are by Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Ironwood and Bessemer.