Dorothy Jean Belt, age 79, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on April 6, 2026, at Jacobs Ladder Springfield, Mo. Dorothy was born to John Junkermeier and Muriel Junkermeier on May 8, 1946 in Taft, California. She was raised in Bakersfield, California, and graduated from Bakersfield South Highschool in 1964. Dorothy was a veteran of the Women’s Army Corps (U.S. Army). Her rank was Specialist 4 (E-4) and proudly served as a Clerical Pro & Typing during the Vietnam War for 2 years, 4 months, and 19 days before her honorable discharged due to marriage on 4 APR 1967. She married Merle Francis Belt soon after discharge. The couple were blessed with 2 boys, Bryan Lee Belt and Scott Alan Belt.

Dorothy’s final job before retiring was as a Tax Professional with H&R Block for close to 15 years. Over the course of her life Dorothy held other jobs including minister’s wife to Merle Belt, working as a teller in several banks, and as a factory employee at the Brown Shoe factory in ST. Louis, Mo. When not working, she had many interests and pastimes including being a “gadget girl” as she always had the latest and greatest in helpful items for everyday life and LOVED thrift shopping, a passion she shared with her youngest son’s wife. Nothing, however, brought her more fulfillment than being a grandmother to 6 grandchildren and 4 step grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Dorothy will be remembered as a good mother, a loving and supportive wife, a friend to many, a prayer warrior, and most importantly a fierce protector of her family. She was often described by others as sweet, extremely helpful, kind, thoughtful, and protective of everyone around her. Dorothy leaves behind a legacy of high moral character and 2 boys who, in her words “grew into fine outstanding men”.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her father, John Junkermeier; mother, Muriel Junkermeier. She is survived by her son Scott Belt (Darla) of Olathe, KS; son Bryan Belt (Elizabeth) of Springfield, MO; grandchildren Michael Belt of Iowa City, IA, Sarah Preston (Belt) of Bolivar, MO, Katie Morsovillo (Belt) of Fayetteville, AR, Abby Belt of Springfield, MO, Sophie Belt of Columbia, Mo, Jared Belt of Columbia, Mo, Kendrick Wright of Olathe, Katy Pinney (Wright) of Kansas City, Ks, Khloe Wright of Olathe, Ks, and Keegan Wright of Olathe, Ks and 4 great grandchildren.

A graveside memorial service with military honors for Dorothy will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Missouri Veterans Cemetery Springfield with a burial to follow.  Arrangements are under the direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South.