At 1:57 a.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2023, Michael LeRoy Bellew passed away at Bryan West Medical Hospice in Lincoln. He was 63 years old.
Mike was born January 26, 1960, to Russell and Marilyn Bellew in North Platte. He attended North Platte High School where he played football and was on the track team, triple jump was his favorite event. After graduating in 1978, Mike hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad. He was a Fireman/Oiler then became an engineer in 1988. He worked until retiring in January 2020.
Mike was married and had three children, Ryan, Chelsie and Tanner, then met the love of his life, Pam Oelke. After they married on December 29,2005, he gained another child, Devin Oelke. Family, especially his children, grandchildren and granddogs, were the center of Mike's life.
He was a member of the Moose Lodge where he was president for many years and a Gold Coat, and the Eagle's Lodge where he directed the State Eagle's Pool Tournament in North Platte for three years. Mike liked playing pool and played with his favorite pool stick, "Grandpa".
His favorite hobby (before and after retiring) was fishing, especially with his best buddy, Brian Marquette. He enjoyed camping, Comstock Rock, golfing at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln, watching Jeff Gordon and Chase Elliott, listening to Bob Seger, and the annual 4th of July parties in Lincoln at his home "The Magic House". Husker football games were #1 to Mike and he loved watching from the Skybox in Lincoln.
Mike gives a special thanks to his friends, Dennis and Connie Dailey. He had a great life and leaves us all with many great memories. Mike will certainly be missed!
He is survived by his parents, Russell and Marilyn Bellew of North Platte; his beloved wife, Pam of Lincoln; children, Ryan Bellew (Kerri)of North Platte, Chelsie Dulle (Shay) of Florida, Tanner Bellew of North Platte, and Devin Oelke (Jalene) of Lincoln; grandchildren, Harpor Jenkins, Bella and Lilliann Oelke, Maddie Custer, Avery Barnes, Jayden Kruse, Brooklyn Deibert; his sister, Pam Snyder of Bertrand; granddogs, Sallie, Ruca, Ottis and Bozz; and lots of other family and friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his grandpa, Charles Bellew; parents-in-law, Don and Alice Kistler; brother-in-law, Frank Snyder; and other family including, Kyle Lauer, Steve Kruse, Bev Heim, Duane Oelke, Larry Clark, Sr., and Milburn Qualls.
Cremation was chosen. There will be a Celebration of Mike's Life beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, at the Holiday Inn Express in North Platte. Memorial Service will be 2 p.m. on Friday, November 3,at Odean Colonial Chapel. The memorial book may be signed atodeanchapel.com or prior to the service at Odean Colonial Chapel at C &Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Memorials are suggested to Pam Bellew to help with medical expenses.