Glen Austin Belgard, age 91, of Deville, Louisiana, entered into rest on April 11, 2026, at his home in Forsyth, Missouri. He was born on August 9, 1934, in Deville, Louisiana, to Elmer and Florence (Wiley) Belgard. Glen attended Buckeye School in Rapides Parish.
In the 1960s, Glen became a well-known local businessman, owning and operating Belgard Garage and Wrecker Service, faithfully serving his community for many years. In his earlier years, he also worked in pulpwooding while building his business. His dedication to service extended into the 1970s when he served as a member of the Rapides Parish Police Jury, demonstrating his commitment to his community and local leadership.
Glen also faithfully served his community as a school bus driver for 23 years. He truly enjoyed every moment of it, not just because he loved the work, but because he loved the children he transported each day. Those kids were more than passengers to him, they were “his kids,” and they loved him right back. His kindness, steady presence, and genuine care made a lasting impact on many young lives.
Glen enjoyed gardening and took pleasure in the simple things of life. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed watching RFD-TV. More importantly, he was a spiritual man and a pillar in the community, known for his kindness and willingness to help others. Many would say he was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back.
His life was marked by service, integrity, and compassion, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew and loved him.
Glen was preceded in death by his grandchildren, Oliver Belgard and Wade Bennett; his parents, Elmer and Florence Belgard; his brothers, Dwight, Winston, Winford, Alton, and Kolin Belgard; his sisters, Nell Caulfield and Oneida Paulk; and his stepdaughter, Benita R. Wells.
He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Rondella Belgard; his children, Ricky (Brenda) Belgard of Pineville, Louisiana, Sheila Belgard of Pineville, Louisiana, Willie (Cheryl) Wells of Deville, Louisiana, and Ronda (Stephen) Bennett of Forsyth, Missouri; his grandchildren, Nicholas (Monique) Belgard, Andrea Nichole (Mitch) Hoffpauir, Derek (Virginia) Belgard, Paige (Austin) Horton, Dakota Belgard, Tyler (Natasha) Bennett, and Isabella Bennett; Matthew Wells, Joshua (Makenzie) Wells: sixteen great-grandchildren; his sister, Joyce Varnell; his faithful friend and phone pal, Jimmy Terry; bonus granddaughter, Ireland Aaron; bonus grandson, Derrick Brown, and special friends, Lennie and Tinker.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Patty, Joe, and Dusty with Compassus Hospice for their compassionate care.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Unity Baptist Church, 6509 Magnolia Lane, Pineville, Louisiana, with Bro. Ricky Belgard and Bro. Steve Spear officiating.
In the 1960s, Glen became a well-known local businessman, owning and operating Belgard Garage and Wrecker Service, faithfully serving his community for many years. In his earlier years, he also worked in pulpwooding while building his business. His dedication to service extended into the 1970s when he served as a member of the Rapides Parish Police Jury, demonstrating his commitment to his community and local leadership.
Glen also faithfully served his community as a school bus driver for 23 years. He truly enjoyed every moment of it, not just because he loved the work, but because he loved the children he transported each day. Those kids were more than passengers to him, they were “his kids,” and they loved him right back. His kindness, steady presence, and genuine care made a lasting impact on many young lives.
Glen enjoyed gardening and took pleasure in the simple things of life. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed watching RFD-TV. More importantly, he was a spiritual man and a pillar in the community, known for his kindness and willingness to help others. Many would say he was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back.
His life was marked by service, integrity, and compassion, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew and loved him.
Glen was preceded in death by his grandchildren, Oliver Belgard and Wade Bennett; his parents, Elmer and Florence Belgard; his brothers, Dwight, Winston, Winford, Alton, and Kolin Belgard; his sisters, Nell Caulfield and Oneida Paulk; and his stepdaughter, Benita R. Wells.
He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Rondella Belgard; his children, Ricky (Brenda) Belgard of Pineville, Louisiana, Sheila Belgard of Pineville, Louisiana, Willie (Cheryl) Wells of Deville, Louisiana, and Ronda (Stephen) Bennett of Forsyth, Missouri; his grandchildren, Nicholas (Monique) Belgard, Andrea Nichole (Mitch) Hoffpauir, Derek (Virginia) Belgard, Paige (Austin) Horton, Dakota Belgard, Tyler (Natasha) Bennett, and Isabella Bennett; Matthew Wells, Joshua (Makenzie) Wells: sixteen great-grandchildren; his sister, Joyce Varnell; his faithful friend and phone pal, Jimmy Terry; bonus granddaughter, Ireland Aaron; bonus grandson, Derrick Brown, and special friends, Lennie and Tinker.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Patty, Joe, and Dusty with Compassus Hospice for their compassionate care.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Unity Baptist Church, 6509 Magnolia Lane, Pineville, Louisiana, with Bro. Ricky Belgard and Bro. Steve Spear officiating.