Ishpeming – Belmere M. "Bell" Wendt, age 66, passed away on Wednesday Jan. 2, 2008 while under the care of the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice, at the home of her son at 18 Eagle St. Ely Twp. where she had been residing for the past month. She had been in ill health for the past year.


Bell was born May 20, 1941 in Ishpeming, the daughter of the late William F. and Evelyn M. (Jandron) Ongie. She was a graduate of the Ishpeming Community Schools Adult Education Program. Bell had worked for the Ishpeming Public Schools for 23 years as a custodian at the High School and C.L. Phelps middle school, retiring in 2003. She was a lifelong area resident and a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Bell enjoyed playing Bingo and supported many organizations with monetary donations, including St. Jude's Children's Hospital and various Veterans groups.


Survivors include her fiancé William Lammi of Richmond Twp., 3 sons – Earl (Karen) Stephens of Ishpeming, Dean (Ellenor) Stephens of Ishpeming, and Michael (Terri) Stephens of Ishpeming; 2 daughters – Shirley Gauthier of Ishpeming and Susan Stephens of Sheboygan, WI; 4 brothers – Clifford Jandron of Marquette, Alfred Ongie of Mackinaw City, MI, Robert (Laura) Stone of WI, and Roy Stone Jr. of GA, 2 sisters – Carol and Sandi Stone both of WI; 13 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband Earl Stephens, her second husband Larry Wendt and a son Jeff Stephens.


The family will greet friends and relatives from 10:00am until 11:00am on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am on Saturday with the Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala to officiate. Inurnment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the services in the K-D Hall.