Newton Kansan
Posted Oct 16, 2008 @ 11:53 AM
INMAN - John R. Balzer, age 82, passed away Tuesday, at Pleasant View Home, Inman. He was born June 7, 1926 in Newton, the son of David D. and Agatha Siemens Balzer. He was a lifetime resident of the Inman/Buhler area where he had been a farmer. On June 5, 1952, he married Velma Jean Krehbiel at Blackwell, Oklahoma. She passed away on April 6, 1995. On December 22, 1996, he married Arlene Schmidt Schroeder at Inman. She survives. He was a past member of Hebron Mennonite Church and a current member of Buhler Mennonite Church, Buhler. He was a former member of the Inman Lions Club and had served on the MKC Board.
He is survived by four sons: John Schmidt and wife Kay of Walton, Tim Schmidt and wife Lisa of Whitewater, David Balzer and wife Kris of Inman, Paul Balzer and wife Janet of Hurley, S.D.; two daughters: Jenny Crow and husband Doug of Emporia, Joyce Peirce and husband Rudy of Housatonic, Mass.; and 10 grandchildren .
He was preceded in death by his twin sister Annie, in infancy; and three brothers, twins Melvin and Menno, in infancy, and Victor.
Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Buhler Mortuary in Buhler.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Hebron Cemetery in rural Buhler with a memorial service to follow at 11 a.m. Friday at Buhler Mennonite Church with Pastor Bob Dalke presiding.
Memorials may be sent to either Mennonite Central Committee or Bethel College in care of Buhler Mortuary, 120 N. Main, Buhler, KS 67522.
1926 - 2008 (82 years)