Dorothy Jean (Simmons) Belmont

Dorothy Jean Belmont went to her heavenly home on September 4, 2023, with her daughter by her side. She was born on the fourth of July 1937 to Samuel Simmons and Ruby (McCracken) Henderson (James Henderson) in Garner, Arkansas.

Dorothy graduated from Portage High School and attended accounting classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. This led to her career as an accountant with Bell Distributing until her retirement in 2001.

Dorothy was an avid reader, enjoying mystery novels, especially those by JD Robb and Harlan Coben. She loved to travel, and the casino was always her favorite destination, she had a knack for always walking away with more money than she came with.

Dorothy spent over 45 years with her partner Don Gessaman. They enjoyed travelling out of state to find new casinos and tending to their yard and garden. She was well-known for her red and pink rose bushes and her love for dancing.

Dorothy is survived by her children Frankie (Rick) Butler, Vickie Milowe, Rick Shannnon; grandchildren Kevin (Angela), Sydney, Leah, Matthew, Michael, Phillip, Sarah (Mike), Joseph (Jolene), Mary (Ricky); several great-grandchildren; her siblings Doug Henderson and Carol Stamp Brooks; several nieces and nephews; and a dear lifelong friend Patricia Brockway. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Mary Pape and Wilma Nabors; her longtime companion Don; her sister-in-law Wilda Henderson; brother-in-law Henry Pape; and daughter-in-law Deb Shannon.

Services for Dorothy will be on Monday, September 11, 2023, at Langeland Family Funeral Home 622 S. Burdick St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm with a memorial service beginning at 2:00 pm. A private inurnment will be held at a later date for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Dorothy may be made to Kalamazoo SPCA. Please visit Dorothy’s personalized webpage to share memories and condolences with her family at https://www.Langelands.com