Felizardo B. Belga, MD

If Dr. Belga could sit beside you today, he would not talk about the life he lived. Instead, he would tell you about the Savior who changed it.

On July 6, 2026, at the age of 93, our beloved Dad, Papa, and Doc was welcomed home by our Lord Jesus Christ, whom he loved with all his heart. More than anything else, he longed for every person he met to know the same Savior whose love rescued him, changed him, and filled his life with hope.

His story began in a world darkened by war. Born on April 6, 1933 in the Bicol region of the Philippines, Dr. Belga's early years were marked by heartbreaking loss. His biological parents were killed during the Japanese occupation in World War II. Raised by relatives with very little means, he learned that every meal was earned through hard work. He delivered newspapers, sold food, ran errands, tutored classmates, and took on any job he could find to help support himself and his family.

Yet while life closed one door after another, God opened one that hardship could never shut. He planted a burning desire in the heart of a young boy—to become a doctor and care for others. By God's grace, that dream became reality. Dr. Belga never shared the story of becoming a surgeon to highlight his accomplishments. He told it because he loved telling the story of God's faithfulness.

Looking back, he could see God's fingerprints everywhere—in the doors that closed, the paths he never expected to walk, the hardship that shaped him, and the blessings he could have never planned. His life was never meant to point to himself. It was a testimony to grace.

After Dr. Belga arrived in America, another door opened—and it changed everything. When he trusted in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, he found not only forgiveness, but also the purpose for which he had been created. Together with his beloved wife, Yolanda, they dedicated their home, hearts, and lives to growing in and sharing their faith in Christ.

Each evening, the Bible was opened, and prayers rose to heaven. Everyone who walked through their front door was welcomed as family. Patients received medical care and were always asked, "May I pray with you?" Whether in a grocery store, a restaurant, an airport, or a hospital hallway, no one was ever just a stranger. Every person was someone who needed to know the deep love of God.

To Dr. Belga, there was no such thing as a chance meeting. If a door opened, he walked through it. He encouraged pastors, supported missionaries and churches, and always looked for opportunities to tell someone about the love of Jesus.

Yet his first ministry was always home. God blessed Dr. Belga and Yolanda with four children—Ferdi (Ruth), Fred (Kelly), Faye (James), and Floyd (Jane)—and the joy of their grandchildren: Jordan, Amber (Wilson), Calvin (Kristiana), Jacob, Emily, Christian, Kayla, Olivia, and Alyssa. Nothing filled his heart more than seeing the next generations love the Lord and shine His light into the world.

Dr. Belga’s faith was deep, but so was his joy. We will always remember his “bigger than life” personality, his echoing voice, and boisterous laughter which filled every room he walked into. Around our family, we affectionately called him "The Godfather," because respect seemed to follow him wherever he went. Any accomplishment or job well done by the kids or grandkids was always met with a resounding “Yeheyyy!”. He enjoyed beautiful cars— a DeLorean, a Mercedes, a Gran Torino, and a little Fiat X1/9. And one of our favorite moments always came whenever the camera clicked, he would shout, "Gotcha!"

Then there were the words we always heard—with every phone call, every FaceTime conversation, and every goodbye: "I am always praying for you like Job did for his children." Those words gave our hearts strength. Long after our conversations ended, we knew Dad—our Papa—never stopped praying for us.

Dr. Belga's story began in a world darkened by war, but by God's grace it became a story filled of opened doors, changed hearts, and lives illuminated by the love of Christ. That same door is still open today. His name is Jesus.

Nothing would bring Dr. Belga greater joy than for you to know the Savior he loved. Nothing would honor his memory more.

Fully Committed to Jesus.

Funeral services will be held at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 North Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60625.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Chapel Service will take place during the visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

On Saturday, July 18, 2026, a Final Viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Service from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Following the funeral service, Committal and Interment will be held at Rosehill Cemetery, 5800 North Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60660, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.