Elizabeth Delight Belt

MORRIS—Elizabeth Delight (Montanus) Belt, 77, of Morris, died peacefully on Dec. 15, 2017 at Park Pointe Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Morris surrounded by her family.
Born June 24, 1940 in Princeton, IL, she was the daughter of Reverend Hugo C. and Genevieve Montanus, and was the youngest child with six older brothers.  She moved to Morris with her family in 1952 and was a graduate of Morris Community High School with the class of 1958.
Delight married Gerald (Jerry) Belt on Dec. 17, 1960 in Morris. They made their home in Morris where they worked and raised their family.
Music was Delight's passion and employment for most of her life.  She studied music at the Eastman School of Music in New York, San Jose State University in California, College of St. Francis in Joliet and performed in several operas, and performed at Carnegie Hall. She was the director of music at the First Presbyterian Church in Morris for 24 years and later directed church choirs for three additional churches in Joliet and Coal City.  She also taught music at Immaculate Conception School in Morris and taught privately in her home for many years.  Delight performed as a soloist with several big band groups, most notably the Johnny Kay Orchestra.  She and her husband, Jerry, also formed a swing band that performed locally for over 30 years.   
Delight is notably remembered for her performances singing the national anthem twice at Comiskey Park (1965 and1982) and once at Wrigley Field (1983).  She was also honored to sing the national anthem throughout the United States and Canada for 14 years at the opening ceremonies of the American Federation of Musicians.  
She is survived by her husband, Gerald (Jerry) Belt; her two sons, Greg Belt and Scott (Cindy) Belt, of Morris and daughter, Joy (Craig) Belt-Roselieb, of Naperville; her grandchildren: Tara, Jessica, Jenna, Monica, Joshua and Abby and one great-grandchild, Oliver Strube.  She is also survived by Neil Montanus, of Rochester NY; Jim Montanus, of Folsom, CA; Tom Montanus, of Wamea, Kauai, and Eugene (Dude) Montanus, of Morris.  Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Delight was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Hugo and Genevieve Montanus and two brothers, Lee Montanus and Mark Montanus.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Morris. A celebration of Delight's life will be held Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Dr. Roy Backus officiating.  Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery immediately following services.
In lieu of flowers, preferred memorial contributions may be made to the family in Delight's name to establish a music educational scholarship fund or the First Presbyterian Church music program.
For further information or online condolences visit the website at www.ucdaviscallahan.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted with U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home, 301 W. Washington Street, Morris, IL.