Chae Ok (Sim) Belkiewitz, 72, of South Bend and formerly of the Plymouth, Walkerton, and Michigan City areas passed away at her home Friday evening, January 4th. Chae has endured the effects of Parkinson’s disease for nearly ten years and dementia the past two while remaining in the comforting care of her husband Jim.
Chae Ok Sim was born on February 19, 1940 in Seoul, South Korea, to Bong Woon Sim and his wife, Chang Ah Gi. As a child she possessed great athletic skills and loved the game of Volleyball. She would become an Olympian in the sport and later shared those talents with Plymouth High School girls from 1978 to 1986 coaching them to play in two state finals, five semi-state appearances, seven sectional titles, and finishing with an overall record of 197 wins vs 37 losses.
Chae was a vibrant young lady, trained as a nurse, and lived in Seoul during the mid 1960’s when she met American Army serviceman, James A. Belkiewitz, a Spec 4 at a grade school where he was teaching English to Korean children. They fell in love and were married at Myong Dong Church on June 4, 1966 in Seoul. In October of that year, while living in the U.S., Chae attained her American Citizenship on August 20, 1970 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The couple made their first home in Michigan City, Indiana where she was a nurse’s aide at St. Anthony Hospital. She then took a position in research and development at Arno Adhesive Tapes in Michigan City before joining the Zimmer Corporation in Warsaw as a production machinist where she worked for ten years until she was disabled in an auto accident.
Always a proponent of the American Red Cross blood donor program Chae achieved the 5 gallon distinction. On one occasion Chae was turned away for not meeting the minimum weight requirement, so the next month she filled her pockets with metal objects from work. Now passing the weight requirement she was able to donate; however, when she attempted this a second time they found her out and turned her away again.
While in Michigan City, Chae enjoyed league volleyball, softball and bowling. She also sang with the choral group, The Sweet Adeline’s. She is currently a member of the Michiana Korean Presbyterian Church in Elkhart, Indiana where she also sang in the choir.
She is survived by her husband, Jim, and their three children: David A. Belkiewitz of Cottonwood, Arizona; Angela M. Belkiewitz of South Bend; and Brian R. Belkiewitz of Sedona, Arizona and dear grandson, Vincent J. A. Belkiewitz also of South Bend.
Her siblings include Chae Soon Sim, sister, Seoul, Korea; Chang Hak Sim, brother, Seoul, Korea; Chae Suk Lee, sister, Treasure Island, Florida; Young Ju Sim, brother, Schererville, Indiana; and Chae Sung Sim, brother, Crown Point, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Chong Pae Sim, and a sister, Chae Chun Sim.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 11th from 6 – 8 p.m. EDT in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Visitation will continue on Saturday, January 12th at the Michiana Korean Presbyterian Church 29400 Co. Rd 10, Elkhart, Indiana from 4 p.m. until time of services in the church. Services will be held at 5 p.m. EDT in the church with Rev. Bong Joo Chun officiating.
Memorial gift contributions may be made to the Plymouth High School Girls Volleyball Program, #1 Big Red Drive, Plymouth, IN 46563
Bill & Marilyn Fortin says
I am so sorry for your lose. I loved Chae and know she had suffered these last few years. God is kind. She is safe and comfortable in his hands. Our sympathy to all your family.
Bill & Marilyn Fortin says
I am so sorry for your loss. I loved Chae and will miss her. I think and pray for her often. She is now comfortable in God\’s hands. Our sympathy to all your family.
Janis Jeffirs Holiday says
I\’m so sorry to hear of the passing of our beloved \”Mrs. B.\” My love of volleyball to this day is largely due to her diligence, and knowledge & love for the game. I only regret that we never quite got the volleyball reunion together that she wanted. High school certainly would not have been the same without her! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Angela Beth Stevens says
Dear Belkiewitz family,
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. I was blessed to play four years of volleyball under Mrs. B. I have a lot of fond memories of her. She definitely had her way of getting things done. One of the many memories I have include her taking home all of the left-over food from our meals to her pigs. If I remember correctly I think one of the pigs got too fat to show. She also, was late to practice due to having to chase down the pigs when they would get loose.
We accomplished a lot together as a team with Mrs. B as our coach and I will always appreciate her for her time, energy and how competitive she was. In fact, I am sure she is playing some volleyball right now and telling all of the angels how to do it the right way.
One last note, it was also very obvious how much she loved her family. Bon-Bon Chia Mrs. B!!
Chris Jeffirs Greig says
Dear Jim and Family,
I am sorry for your loss of Coach Chae. She was a such a lovely and inspirational coach and person. I fondly remember Coach cooking us Korean food one night; that was probably my first awakening on how delicious Asian food was. She was such an energetic and caring person. We loved to get her riled up during volleyball practice! She will me missed.
Chris Jeffirs Greig, PHS Class of \’81
Kelley Doering says
To Chae\’s family and to the PHS Volleyball family,
Deepest sympathy and condolences at the news of Chae\’s passing.
Being part of the first group of volleyball players to have Chae as a coach was quite an experience. Chae taught us how to work hard, play hard and opened our eyes to the cultural nuances that she brought with her. You never had to guess where you stood with Coach B, her directness was a big part of her success. Underneath it all, we always knew that she wanted the best for each of us, as individuals and a team. There is no doubt that she made us all better.
Thanks for the great memories, Chae and the girls on the team.
Warm regards,
Kelley Simpson Doering
PHS Class of \’80
Mike/Judy Kerestury says
My wife and I pass on our condolences to Jim and the family on the death of Chae OK. I had the privilege of working with Chae at Arno Tape for a number of years. It was a joy working with Chae and her smile was always a radiating part of our environment.
Carol Krengel Jachimiec says
Dear Jim,
I am so sorry for your loss. What a remarkable woman you married.
I will keep you in my prayers. May your wonderful memories sustain
you during this sad time.
Please keep in touch with the reunion committee of Elston Class of 1960
if you change your address.
Cheryl Geisler, The Stanley Clark School Reception says
My very deepest condolences to you and your family. Chae was such a beautiful human being that I feel it an honor to have known her and that the world is a better place because she was here. May her memory keep you warm and comforted.
Ed & Kathy Knutson says
Our sympathy to Jim and family. We were your neighbors in Plymouth when you lived near Donaldson—we moved to Rice Lake WI in 1979. We have fond memories of our happy times together drinking beer and eating kinchi (sp?). Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Sue Wilden says
I have seen and covered a lot of events in the past 30 some years, but documenting the wild ride that was the 1984 Indiana State Volleyball championship was one of my first and most memorable events as a professional photographer. Chae was the first of many passionate coaches I had the pleasure of working with over the years. She inspired nothing but the best from her teams and her reputation as a good coach was far and wide.
I will say prayers for her family.
Martin Hohl says
Sorry to hear of Chae\’s passing. Condolences to Jim and family.
Judy Hahn (Colaric) says
Dear Jim:
I\’m so sorry to hear that your wife died. But, it sounds as if you had many happy years, and raised a nice family together…
I\’ve lost both parents, so I can certainly empathasize with the terrible feelings of loss and lone-
liness that you are experiencing….
Rodney still lives in MC, and he e-mailed me this. We\’ve remained friends all these years, in spite of my cheating on him and divorcing him. We have one son.
Get lots of rest and nurture yourself; your body has experienced a major shock, and you will have to treat yourself with lots of kindness.
Lynn Kincade says
Dear Belkiewitz Family,
My deepest condolences to each of you.
I had the privilege of playing volleyball for Mrs. B. I remember her as being passionate, veracious, spunky and down right tough. However, as an athlete, I never thought she expected more from me than she did from herself. I also remember how all of you would come to the games and support your wife / mother. Thank you for sharing Mrs. B.
I will be praying for you.
Lynn Kincade
PHS – Class of 1984
Albuquerque, NM
Sandra Dunlap says
Sorry to hear about your wife. It has been a long time since I last saw you, Sending my condolence to you and the family. I worked for you in Plymouth as a records clerk, not sure what year.
Sandra Dunlap says
Sorry to hear about your wife. It has been a long time since I last saw you, Sending my condolence to you and the family. I worked for you in Plymouth as a records clerk, not sure what year.
Nancy Squires says
It was a lovely obit on Chae. I\’m sending condolences on my behalf and my sister\’s Barbara (Denecho/Downs) Kalk. Barb knew Chae from Arno and on a regular basis they went to (I believe it was Ponderosa) a steak house on U.S. 20 after work and I worked down the highway at Clark Equip. and got to be included. They were enjoyable times and I remember Chae as lively and fun. We also have the connection of going to St. Stan\’s with the Belkiewitz kids. I was in the same grade as Mary and think of her now and then. My sister Barb has Alzheimer\’s and I see Chae also had dementia. I\’m sorry to read about that and the Parkinson\’s.
In heartfelt sympathy, Nancy Squires
Roger and Arlene McCan says
Jim and family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy in the loss of Chae. She was a vibrant, outgoing person and accomplished a lot in her life.
May remembering the happy times bring you comfort.
Grace and peace,
Amy Hughes says
I used to teach Angie and Brian at JGHS.
Her\’s was a wonderful obituary. I got a really clear sense of who she was and what she stood for. I want to let you know that I am with you in spirit since I\’m in the midst of facing Altzheimer\’s too with my father-in-law and will be in the fairly near future with my own mother.
I think about you all more than you know and always hope the best for you, now in this hard time and in the years to come.
Amy (Wait) Hughes
Pat Levan says
Jim and Family,
So sorry to hear of the loss of Chae. We are the family she had at Lydick United Methodist
Church. We line danced together and we would go as a group once a month to Hamilton Grove
Nursing Home to perfrom. She always had a smile on her face and and she will be missed very
much. We did say a group prayer for Chae and will continue to do so. We are very sorry we were
unable to attend the funeral. After Chae moved we tried to contact her with a card but it was
returned with no forwarding address. Our thoughts are prayers are with you.j
LouAnn Tarnow says
Jim,
I am not sure if you will remember me, but I met you and Chae Ok at your house in Michigan City. I was dating Bill VanUlzen at the time. You worked with him while you both were going to Purdue. I also went to school with your sister Geraldine. At any rate, I want to extend my sympathy to you.
I lost my husband three years ago. It is a very difficult situation. I found comfort and strength at a widow/widower\’s group. I hope you can find a suport system too.
It would be nice to contact you by email or phone. You can reach me with the particulars at lajdtarnow@aol.com or 425-643-4208.
Again, I want to tell you how sorry I am. I remember some good times we had at your house. I really liked her.
LouAnn Klosinski Tarnow
Bill & Marilyn Fortin says
I am so sorry for your lose. I loved Chae and know she had suffered these last few years. God is kind. She is safe and comfortable in his hands. Our sympathy to all your family.
Bill & Marilyn Fortin says
I am so sorry for your loss. I loved Chae and will miss her. I think and pray for her often. She is now comfortable in God\’s hands. Our sympathy to all your family.
Janis Jeffirs Holiday says
I\’m so sorry to hear of the passing of our beloved \”Mrs. B.\” My love of volleyball to this day is largely due to her diligence, and knowledge & love for the game. I only regret that we never quite got the volleyball reunion together that she wanted. High school certainly would not have been the same without her! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Angela Beth Stevens says
Dear Belkiewitz family,
My deepest sympathies to you and your family. I was blessed to play four years of volleyball under Mrs. B. I have a lot of fond memories of her. She definitely had her way of getting things done. One of the many memories I have include her taking home all of the left-over food from our meals to her pigs. If I remember correctly I think one of the pigs got too fat to show. She also, was late to practice due to having to chase down the pigs when they would get loose.
We accomplished a lot together as a team with Mrs. B as our coach and I will always appreciate her for her time, energy and how competitive she was. In fact, I am sure she is playing some volleyball right now and telling all of the angels how to do it the right way.
One last note, it was also very obvious how much she loved her family. Bon-Bon Chia Mrs. B!!
Chris Jeffirs Greig says
Dear Jim and Family,
I am sorry for your loss of Coach Chae. She was a such a lovely and inspirational coach and person. I fondly remember Coach cooking us Korean food one night; that was probably my first awakening on how delicious Asian food was. She was such an energetic and caring person. We loved to get her riled up during volleyball practice! She will me missed.
Chris Jeffirs Greig, PHS Class of \’81
Kelley Doering says
To Chae\’s family and to the PHS Volleyball family,
Deepest sympathy and condolences at the news of Chae\’s passing.
Being part of the first group of volleyball players to have Chae as a coach was quite an experience. Chae taught us how to work hard, play hard and opened our eyes to the cultural nuances that she brought with her. You never had to guess where you stood with Coach B, her directness was a big part of her success. Underneath it all, we always knew that she wanted the best for each of us, as individuals and a team. There is no doubt that she made us all better.
Thanks for the great memories, Chae and the girls on the team.
Warm regards,
Kelley Simpson Doering
PHS Class of \’80
Mike/Judy Kerestury says
My wife and I pass on our condolences to Jim and the family on the death of Chae OK. I had the privilege of working with Chae at Arno Tape for a number of years. It was a joy working with Chae and her smile was always a radiating part of our environment.
Carol Krengel Jachimiec says
Dear Jim,
I am so sorry for your loss. What a remarkable woman you married.
I will keep you in my prayers. May your wonderful memories sustain
you during this sad time.
Please keep in touch with the reunion committee of Elston Class of 1960
if you change your address.
Cheryl Geisler, The Stanley Clark School Reception says
My very deepest condolences to you and your family. Chae was such a beautiful human being that I feel it an honor to have known her and that the world is a better place because she was here. May her memory keep you warm and comforted.
Ed & Kathy Knutson says
Our sympathy to Jim and family. We were your neighbors in Plymouth when you lived near Donaldson—we moved to Rice Lake WI in 1979. We have fond memories of our happy times together drinking beer and eating kinchi (sp?). Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Sue Wilden says
I have seen and covered a lot of events in the past 30 some years, but documenting the wild ride that was the 1984 Indiana State Volleyball championship was one of my first and most memorable events as a professional photographer. Chae was the first of many passionate coaches I had the pleasure of working with over the years. She inspired nothing but the best from her teams and her reputation as a good coach was far and wide.
I will say prayers for her family.
Martin Hohl says
Sorry to hear of Chae\’s passing. Condolences to Jim and family.
Judy Hahn (Colaric) says
Dear Jim:
I\’m so sorry to hear that your wife died. But, it sounds as if you had many happy years, and raised a nice family together…
I\’ve lost both parents, so I can certainly empathasize with the terrible feelings of loss and lone-
liness that you are experiencing….
Rodney still lives in MC, and he e-mailed me this. We\’ve remained friends all these years, in spite of my cheating on him and divorcing him. We have one son.
Get lots of rest and nurture yourself; your body has experienced a major shock, and you will have to treat yourself with lots of kindness.
Lynn Kincade says
Dear Belkiewitz Family,
My deepest condolences to each of you.
I had the privilege of playing volleyball for Mrs. B. I remember her as being passionate, veracious, spunky and down right tough. However, as an athlete, I never thought she expected more from me than she did from herself. I also remember how all of you would come to the games and support your wife / mother. Thank you for sharing Mrs. B.
I will be praying for you.
Lynn Kincade
PHS – Class of 1984
Albuquerque, NM
Sandra Dunlap says
Sorry to hear about your wife. It has been a long time since I last saw you, Sending my condolence to you and the family. I worked for you in Plymouth as a records clerk, not sure what year.
Sandra Dunlap says
Sorry to hear about your wife. It has been a long time since I last saw you, Sending my condolence to you and the family. I worked for you in Plymouth as a records clerk, not sure what year.
Nancy Squires says
It was a lovely obit on Chae. I\’m sending condolences on my behalf and my sister\’s Barbara (Denecho/Downs) Kalk. Barb knew Chae from Arno and on a regular basis they went to (I believe it was Ponderosa) a steak house on U.S. 20 after work and I worked down the highway at Clark Equip. and got to be included. They were enjoyable times and I remember Chae as lively and fun. We also have the connection of going to St. Stan\’s with the Belkiewitz kids. I was in the same grade as Mary and think of her now and then. My sister Barb has Alzheimer\’s and I see Chae also had dementia. I\’m sorry to read about that and the Parkinson\’s.
In heartfelt sympathy, Nancy Squires
Roger and Arlene McCan says
Jim and family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy in the loss of Chae. She was a vibrant, outgoing person and accomplished a lot in her life.
May remembering the happy times bring you comfort.
Grace and peace,
Amy Hughes says
I used to teach Angie and Brian at JGHS.
Her\’s was a wonderful obituary. I got a really clear sense of who she was and what she stood for. I want to let you know that I am with you in spirit since I\’m in the midst of facing Altzheimer\’s too with my father-in-law and will be in the fairly near future with my own mother.
I think about you all more than you know and always hope the best for you, now in this hard time and in the years to come.
Amy (Wait) Hughes
Pat Levan says
Jim and Family,
So sorry to hear of the loss of Chae. We are the family she had at Lydick United Methodist
Church. We line danced together and we would go as a group once a month to Hamilton Grove
Nursing Home to perfrom. She always had a smile on her face and and she will be missed very
much. We did say a group prayer for Chae and will continue to do so. We are very sorry we were
unable to attend the funeral. After Chae moved we tried to contact her with a card but it was
returned with no forwarding address. Our thoughts are prayers are with you.j
LouAnn Tarnow says
Jim,
I am not sure if you will remember me, but I met you and Chae Ok at your house in Michigan City. I was dating Bill VanUlzen at the time. You worked with him while you both were going to Purdue. I also went to school with your sister Geraldine. At any rate, I want to extend my sympathy to you.
I lost my husband three years ago. It is a very difficult situation. I found comfort and strength at a widow/widower\’s group. I hope you can find a suport system too.
It would be nice to contact you by email or phone. You can reach me with the particulars at lajdtarnow@aol.com or 425-643-4208.
Again, I want to tell you how sorry I am. I remember some good times we had at your house. I really liked her.
LouAnn Klosinski Tarnow