Raymond "Ray" Dean Bellegante, 87 of Colo, passed away Wednesday October 18, 2023, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.

Raymond was born November 27, 1935, in Boone, the son of Antonio and Grace (Parks) Bellegante. He graduated from Pilot Mound School in 1953. On February 9, 1959, Raymond was united in marriage to Yvonne Erpelding in Sioux City.

Raymond joined the Air Force in March 1954 and was discharged at the rank of A/1C in November 1957. During this time, he received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He then went to Sioux City Barber School, graduating in 1959. He barbered in Colo at Ross's Barber Shop in Colo until he bought the business in 1966 naming it Ray's Barber Shop. Raymond continued barbering until 1992. He was a bus driver for Colo Schools from 1960 to 1965. He worked at Maytag from 1970 until he retired in 1992.

In his free time Raymond enjoyed hunting game, fishing and listening to fiddle music. He also enjoyed hunting for mushrooms and asparagus.

Raymond is survived by his wife, Yvonne (Erpelding) of Colo, his son, David (Angie) of Des Moines, his daughters Renee (Jay) Smith of Colo and Janell (Michael) Komodromou of Larnaca Cyprus; his grandchildren, Tony (Jenny) Bellegante, Amanda (Jeffrey) Podolski, Annamarie (Tom) Knief, Kelcey (Jordan) Bjerke, Ashley (Jayson) Van Haaften, Yvoni Komodromou and Zack Komodromos, his great grandchildren, Samuel, Theodore, Dominic and Caroline Podolski, Kinley and Jared (JJ) Bjerke, his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and several of his nieces and nephews. Raymond was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents Sebastian and Fortunata (Lira) Bellegante and Charles and Nellie (Sullivan) Parks.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church (422 4th Street) in Colo, Iowa with burial to follow at St. James Cemetery. Visitation will take place at 9:30 a.m. prior to the memorial service.

The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking on Raymond's photo at www.rasmussonfh.com, then tribute wall.

Memorial contributions in memory of Raymond may be made to Colo Fire and Rescue, Saint Mary's Catholic Church and Colo Library.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.rasmsusonfh.com.