Minnie Belese

Minnie L. (Metz) Belese, 97, of Washington, NJ, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2016, at home with her family by her side. A lifelong resident of Washington, Minnie was born August 22, 1918, in her childhood home on Myrtle Avenue to the late Valentine and Eva Scott Metz. She was a graduate of Washington High School, class of 1937, and is the last known member of that graduating class. Four years ago, Minnie attended her granddaughter Kim's 25th class reunion, celebrating the 75th anniversary of her own graduation. After high school, Minnie married the love of her life, John J. Belese, Sr., who passed in 1980, and together they raised five children. She was employed at G.C. Murphy's in Washington in her younger years and was a homemaker the majority of her life. Minnie re-entered the workforce at American Can, working in the cafeteria there for many years. She was later employed by the Warren County Nutrition Center, where she worked for 20 years, retiring at the age of 85. Minnie enjoyed Bingo, her trips to Mt. Airy and Las Vegas, and playing games on her iPad. She enjoyed watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, followed golf on TV and had many discussions with her son, John, regarding the game. Minnie loved flowers and spent many hours tending her gardens. She was a fabulous cook and loved to bake. Most of all, Minnie adored her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. Minnie is survived by her loving children: three daughters, Barbara Sinkbeil and her husband Lee; Bonnie Kelsey and her husband Jim; Linda Trimmer-Ackerman and her husband Robert; a son, John Belese, Jr. and his wife Esther; nine cherished grandchildren, Tracy, Joni, Ralph, Robyn, Kim, Tim, Katarina, Natasha and James; six adored great-grandchildren, Payton, Kyli, Justice, Kori, Jared and Colton; and her treasured cat Chloe. In addition to her husband John, she is preceded in death by a daughter, Joan Frederick who passed in 2015, and her eight siblings. Friends and family may pay their respects on Tuesday, July 5, 2016, 4-8 p.m. at the Warren Hills Memorial Home, 234 W. Washington Ave., Washington, NJ 07882. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2016, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment at Pequest Union Cemetery in Great Meadows will immediately follow the service. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Warren Hills Memorial Home. To send an online condolence, please visit www.warrenhillsmemorialhome.com.