BELDEN, Murray Graves

Murray Graves Belden, 85, of Newville, Pennsylvania, and formerly of Arizona City, died Dec. 28, 2000 at Green Ridge Village nursing home. A Masonic service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home in Carlisle, with the funeral following. The Rev. James Richwine will officiate. Burial will be in Westminster Memorial Gardens in North Middletown Township with full military honors. Lt. Col. Belden was born Oct. 8, 1915 in Hatfield, Mass., to Robert and Minnie R. Graves Loomis. A graduate of Syracuse University in 1940, he served 20 years in the Army and was a veteran of World War II. He formerly owned and managed Arthur Deckman Beverage Distributors in Carlisle. He was a member of Middle Spring Presbyterian Church, a past president of Carlisle Chamber of Commerce and twice past president of Carlisle Country Club. He was a member of St. John's Masonic Lodge, St. John's Council and St. John's Commandry, all of Carlisle, and Zembo Shrine. He was active in Sojourners and a member of Elks in Carlisle. He lived in Arizona City for 15 years before returning to Pennsylvania. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Dorothy D. Deckman Belden; two sons, Robert L. Belden of Carlisle and Edward D. Belden of Newville; a sister, Lois Conklin of New London, N.H.; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Masonic Lodge Building Fund, c/o Vaughn C. King, 225 W. South St., Carlisle, Pa. 17013. Casa Grande Dispatch December 29, 2000.