Fr. David Belongea, a Capuchin friar and priest, died Oct. 16 at the age of 83, following a series of health complications.

He was born Dec. 17, 1931, in Kaukauna, Wis., son of Isaac and Ella Belongea. David was invested in the Capuchin Order on Aug. 31, 1951, and professed perpetual vows Sept. 1, 1955. He was ordained Sept. 10, 1959.

Fr. Belongea served for 23 years as a missionary in Nicaragua, as well as in pastoral and preaching ministries in Appleton and Milwaukee, Wis., and in Detroit. Before his retirement in 2005, Fr. Belongea ministered to his brother friars for eight years as a staff member of St. Fidelis Retirement Community.

Fr. Belongea is survived by his four sisters: Marion Rife, Ruth VanDerLoop, Sylvia Robinson (Kaukauna, Wis.), and Rita Seering (Green Bay, Wis.), and two brothers: Myron  and George Belongea (Green Bay), as well as his many Capuchin brothers.

Funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 21 at St. Joseph Parish in Appleton, Wis. Committal in St. Joseph Cemetery.