Constance “Connie” Marie Slade Belmont, 72, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2024, at 12:47 pm at Majestic Care Nursing and Rehab Center in Bedford, Indiana, with her youngest sister at her side. Connie was born at home in the small town of East Liberty, Ohio, on June 8, 1952, to Imolene J (Arbegast) and Henry J Slade, Sr. She was the second oldest of their five girls.
Connie grew up in Harvey, Illinois, where she met and later married Kenneth C Belmont, the father of her only child, Wendi Kaci Belmont. Kaci and Connie shared a birthday as Kaci was born on Connie’s 18th birthday, the best birthday present she ever received. Kenny and Connie later divorced, and Connie worked and did her best to raise Kaci as a single mother.
Connie lived her life on her terms. She was a very passionate and caring person who was also brutally honest. She could rub people the wrong way at times, but you knew where you stood with her. Connie made her share of mistakes in life and accepted a lot of challenges she faced. She embraced GOD as she got older and was a member of Tulip Street Christian Church in Mitchell, Indiana. She would often tell you that she was praying for you and wishing GOD to bless you.
She loved her family dearly. She had many friends that she cared about deeply and thought of you as family (and called you a sister or brother) even if you weren’t related by blood. She was very proud of her daughter Kaci, her son-in-law Sheldon Howard, and her grandsons Simon and Owen. She would be more than glad to tell you what they had done recently or show you a picture of them.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, siblings Henry “Sonny” J Slade, Jr., Elizabeth Weirauch; brothers-in-law Howard Walker, Ray Weirauch, Thomas Rutan, Glynn Hengel, Stephen Hamm, and James Meadows; sister-in-law Judy Shinkle; a nephew; a great niece and her companion Earl Thomas.
She is survived by her siblings Dorothy Walker, New Jersey; RoseAnn Rutan, Chesterfield, South Carolina; David (Verna) Shinkle Findlay, Ohio; Daryl Shinkle, Roswell, New Mexico; Reba McBride, Fort Worth, Texas; Rickey (Jenny) Slade, Sr. Bellefontaine, Ohio; Kathy (Lee) Holetzky, Tinley Park, Illinois; Brenda Hengel, Mattawa, Washington; Jolene Hamm, Kenton, Ohio and Ronda (Eddie) Taflinger, Bedford, Indiana: 30 nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. Connie generously donated her body to the Anatomical Education Program at Indiana University School of Medicine. This gift will contribute significantly to the advancement of health science education in the state of Indiana. Those like Connie, who decide to bequeath their bodies to health sciences, have made a significant contribution that benefits the quality of life and care for the living.
There will be a Celebration of Life for both Connie and her daughter Kaci, who passed away on August 26, 2024, at Tulip Street Christian Church, 900 Tulip Street Mitchell, IN on Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 1-3 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Connie’s memory may be made to the Anatomical Education Program, 635 Barnhill Drive, Room MS 304 Indianapolis, IN 46202 and/or White River Humane Society 3511 Pumphouse Rd, Bedford, IN 47421, or Becky’s Place in Bedford, IN 47421.
