Belpedio, John P.

John P. Belpedio passed away peacefully on May 12, 2024, at the age of 93. His wife of 66 years, Loretta P. Belpedio (nee Roytek) of Mattoon, Illinois, preceded him in death on January 29, 2024.

Devoted father and father-in-law to Barbara Belpedio (Chuck Crocker), Lynn Rogers (David),

David Belpedio (Jodi), Joan Belpedio, and John M. Belpedio (Huong). Loving father to the late John Frank Belpedio who died as an infant.

Adoring grandfather of Jill Thomas (Chris), Tony Belpedio (Chip), Gina Getty (Stephen), David Belpedio (Molly Meek), Anna Mandac (Marko), Laura Belpedio and Michael Belpedio. Cherished great-grandfather of Will, Ben, Ryan, Claire, Eleanor, Daniela, Olive, and Georgeanne. Dearest uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, and friend to many.

John was born January 5, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, to his Italian immigrant parents, Giovannina and Louis Belpedio, the second youngest of six children. As an industrious young boy at the age of 14, he was hustling to earn pocket money by selling newspapers, magazines, and cigarettes in downtown Chicago at Union Station. He enlisted in the Army at age 18. After he completed his service, John went to work at US Steel in downtown Chicago beginning as a mail clerk. He participated in the company’s mixed bowling league and there he met his future wife, Loretta. John and Loretta married in 1957 in Chicago.

John moved his family to St. Louis from Chicago in 1961 looking to start a juice delivery business. He became adept at door knocking and cold selling. All that sales experience paid off when he joined State Farm Insurance Company and built a thriving agency. He retired at age 70 after devoting 37 years of exemplary customer service to State Farm.

John was a man of integrity and possessed a charismatic personality and positive outlook on life that touched so many people. He and Loretta remained active in their Catholic church and children’s schooling throughout their marriage and fostered a faith-filled home. He was a father who taught his five children morals, values, and generosity and prioritized family and extended family and ensured that his children knew their relatives whom all lived out of state. Throughout the years, he stayed physically active and enjoyed his church bowling league, handball at the local YMCA, and golfing and water aerobics during his retirement years.

John left a lasting impact on many people, and he will be greatly missed.

SERVICES: A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. Catherine Laboure Parish, located at 9740 Sappington Road, St. Louis, MO 63128, on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with mass following at 11:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to Society of St. Vincent de Paul/St. Catherine Laboure Conference, 9740 Sappington Road, St. Louis, MO, 63128, would be appreciated.