Martin Balerio
Obituary
Martin M. Balerio, 72, died Friday
(Oct. 12, 2018) at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice-St. Francis Hospital
in Wichita.
Martin was born on Jan. 30, 1946, in
Zacatecas, Mexico, to Joseph and Ysidra (Medina) Balerio.
After Martin graduated from high school
he attended McPherson College for one year and then volunteered for
the U.S. Navy. Martin served his country for six years as a Guided
Missile Radar Operator on the destroyer, William H. Standley DLG-32.
He served two tours in Vietnam and three in the Mediterranean.
After his military service, Martin
attended Wichita State University and received a double degree in
Education and Economics. He was an excellent educator and Spanish
instructor, teaching 20 years at Pleasant Valley Middle School and
eight years at Wichita North High School in Wichita. He made the
"Who's Who Among America's Teachers" on three different
occasions.
He was a point guard in high school and
his excellent shooting skills were demonstrated through many years of
his life in varied state and national competitions, one of which
culminated in a national championship for his age group. He also
bowled, ran track and played baseball and volleyball.
Martin enjoyed many things. He was well
read, a mechanic, handyman, woodworker, collector of coins, chess
player and enjoyed working on crossword puzzles.
He is survived by his sister, Carmen
Bribiesca; brothers, Robert, Andy and Bernie Balerio; nieces and
nephews: Sylvia, David, Brian, Annalisa and Tahnee; as well as five
grand-nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his
parents, Joseph and Ysidra Balerio.
The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will
be held at 6 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 18, 2018) at Our Lady of Guadalupe
Church in Newton. The Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10
a.m. Friday (Oct. 19, 2018) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. A
committal service will be held at Hillside Cemetery, rural Sedgwick,
following the Mass of the Resurrection.
A memorial has been established for the
Legacy of Faith-Our Lady of Guadalupe, 415 S. Ash Street, Newton, KS
67114 (316-283-3499). Petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
