Brent Harcourt Belcher
Brent Harcourt Belcher, 80, of Marshall, Michigan, passed away on March 29, 2024, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
He was born on February 14, 1944, to Edward and Genevieve (Tuck) Belcher in Marshall, Michigan.
On April 17, 1965, Brent married Wanda Peck in Marshall, Michigan. He was a proud active member of the Michigan State Auctioneers Association, was their Past President and was inducted into their Hall of Fame on January 29, 2000, and Brent’s father Ed and family were on hand to present him the award. His other memberships included the Indiana Auctioneers Association and the National Auctioneers Association. Brent was a third-generation auctioneer. He started clerking and setting up auctions for his father Ed Belcher in the early 1960’s, while attending Kellogg Community College. He called his first auction at the age of 20 and has been a full-time auctioneer until retiring in 2023. He was very active with the Calhoun County 4H Livestock Project Auction for 56 years. He always donated his time to churches and charitable organizations that asked for help putting on an auction. Brent has sold at countless Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever Benefit sales throughout the state and at 30 plus Calhoun County 4-H Livestock auctions which have set three world records. He also helped at the Eaton County 4-H Livestock sales. Brent helped organize and served on the steering committee as well as selling at the annual Oaklawn Benefit Auction since its inception. The community was very important to Brent, and he volunteered his time by serving on the Marshall Area Economic Development Council, Calhoun County Fair Advisory Committee, Michigan National Bank Board of Directors, member and past president Marshall Lion’s Club, donating equipment for the Marshall Area Relay for Life, Starr Commonwealth for Boys fundraiser selling at their annual event. He was a longtime active member at Marshall United Methodist Church and enjoyed singing in the choir. Brent enjoyed outside activities around their home, water skiing at Lee Lake and showing Quarter Horses when he was younger. He and his horse earned Grand Champion at the Chicago International Livestock Show. Golfing was his favorite hobby along with his Bear Whizzer Golf Club friends. Above all, Brent loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Family was everything to him. He will be truly missed for being an excellent auctioneer and family man.
Brent is survived by his loving spouse of 59 years, Wanda; his children, Kristin (Dan) Gaston of Marshall, Michigan, Heather (Ray) Charles of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and Kevin (Angie) Belcher of Marshall, Michigan; his grandchildren, Lexi Mead, Hannah Schroder, Logan McPherson, Jordan McPherson, Kira Belcher, Brielle Belcher and Katie Gaston; great grandchildren, Brenton Mead, Linden Mead, Sophie Gaston and Danny Gaston; and his sister, Suzette Koster.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation for Brent will be held Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Marshall United Methodist Church (721 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, Michigan 49068) with the memorial service to follow at 12:00 p.m. Rev. Erin Fitzgerald officiating. Inurnment will be held at Marshall United Methodist Church Memorial Garden.
Memorials are suggested to the Marshall United Methodist Church.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, Michigan 49068. Please visit www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guest book or to leave the family condolences.