Elijah Earnest (Earnie) Belback was born to Pearl Willine Dunaway Belback and Maeland Belback on September 15th, 1941 in Bolivar, Missouri.

Earnie lived in Bolivar until the age of 15. He moved to Springfield with his mother and stepfather, Timothy Reaves.

While living in Springfield, he met Charlesetta (Shorty) Willis, who later became his wife.

He remained in Springfield until he joined the Air Force. While in the Air Force he lived in Alaska and Ohio.

He returned on leave, to Springfield, while in the Air Force to marry Shorty in December 1961.

Of that union the family increased to add two sons. Mark born December 3rd, 1962, Jeffery, April 18th, 1964.

Earnie and family moved to Arizona in the 1980’s and returned to the Bolivar area in 1995 after illness forced both he and Shorty to retire from Carson Industries.

Earnie loved to play golf. Rain, shine or snow, put a golf club in his hand and off he would go.

Shorty preceded Earnie in death on March 18, 2013, after 52 years of marriage. Jeffery passed in 2019 while living in Arizona.

Ernie had been living in Independence Manor Care Center in Independence since July, 2023.

Earnie is survived by son, Mark, 4 grand-daughters, Kellie, Krystal, Faye Marie and Lacy. 5 great-grand daughters. Sisters, Harriette Cummings of Independence, Judy Fay Gale of Rolla. Cousin, Elijah Alphred Dunaway and wife Judy. 2 nieces, 1 nephew, and lots of other family and friends.

Ernie now rest in peace after a long illness and is again with Shorty.