Harry Joseph Balenger, age 82, of 804 North 15th Street, Escanaba, MI died Thursday evening June 12, 2008 at home following a brief illness.
Harry was born July 5, 1925 in Gladstone the son of Walter and Bertha (Cooper) Balenger. Harry was united in marriage to the former Josephine
Anonymous
Greg,
My sympathy in your time of loss. Yet upon loss. May your heart and mind be visited often by pleasant memories.
Sincerely,
Angel’s Mom
Jane Commander
Cooks, MI
Mike, Anna Mae, Debbie, Greg, Scott, Aunt Tootie,and all the grand children too! My heart was heavy when I learned of Uncle Harry being so ill, I knew how hard this would be on everyone! We; who have traveled this road know all to well, no matter how ill our family member is, we still miss them when they are gone, even though we know that the time has come! There is rejoicing in Heaven, with Aunt Josie, and all the rest that have gone on before, and my Dad and Mom, along with the rest. He was greeted with a loving embrace! Uncle Harry was always a kind caring person who would offer you the shirt off his back if someone needed it! Your family has been blessed by having him for a Dad, and always remember how you took great care of him at home, as tough as it was at times, especially toward the end, but I know even the couple days I had picked up Aunt Tootie, and visited, he greeted us each time, never complained about himself, asking how other family members were doing, yet he was so ill! Please know that we are all here and if you need someone; and as the Celebration of Uncle Harry’s life, memories of all the years of gatherings with the families; Anderson-Balengers and so many other ones too! We are so fortunate to have such a loving bunch of family, we find it difficult to find again, we sure had wonderful role models for our own lives, and we were taught so much by them all! Listen as the trees sway in the breeze, He is with you, see and hear as the rain falls and the drops hit the ground, he is there too, don’t weep for an empty house as my Mom would say, she knew and always believed, that once we were gone we were at the Pearly gates, out of the body that was left on earth as an empty house would be! Be proud of where you came from, and know your Dad was so very proud of all of you, he loved you kids and was so proud of all the grandkids too, he sure loved them so much! I love you always,
Sharon Anderson
Perkins, MI
Scott, I am sadden about the loss of your Dad. I would like to express our deepest sympathy from my family and I.
Mike Shandonay
Gladstone, MI
THE SUPPER GROUP
The supper group usually meets once a week at a restaurant that varies according to the whims and schedule of the participants. This has been going on for a long time. I and my husband joined the originators in about 1998. This function had been going on for at least five years before that.
That is a lot of meals at a lot of restaurants over the years. Friends, relatives and in-laws make up the group. Sometimes, a guest or two join the group for awhile. Over the years we have seen a lot of changes. One by one, three husbands passed on.
Since 2002, we have been down to one gentleman who graciously kept us company week after week. He was a brother to one, a brother-in-law to another and a friend to all. We jokingly called the group ?Harry and his harem?. He laughed.
Last week Harry too, died. The funeral is today. How we will miss him. It was nice to sit and visit, share a laugh, and just talk about the weeks? events with him. We will miss him every time we meet for supper. He was our touchstone; a reminder of our men who one by one gradually left us.
I know I will cry today at the graveside service. Tears are coming now. I weep for my loss, for the friendship and companionship Harry gave by just coming out to eat with our little group. I will miss his stories, his adventures of the week just past. His trials and tribulations and angst over a $1.50 cup of coffee.
Five of us will meet again for supper next week. There will be an empty chair at the table.
Erlamay Hardwick
Escanaba, MI
Dear Debbie and family.
I am so sorry to hear about your father’s passing.
Thinking of you with my deepest sympathy and hoping you find comfort in the lifetime of special memories of your father. He is once again now joined with your mother and other loved ones in a good place with no pain or heartaches.
I know how difficult this must be for you. You are in my deepest thoughts and prayers
Gary Brown / gabrown99@comcast.net
Cape Coral, FL
Scott,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your father.
Patti Solis Powell
San Diego, CA
Mike, Anna Mae, Debbie, Gregg, Scottie, Aunt Tootie and all his loving grandkids. I am so sorry for the loss of your preciou and loving father and grandfather and sweet uncle to me. He will be truly missed! He was always such a wonderful and a loving uncle to me. May you find comfort knowing he is with Aunt Josie, Wally and Gramma and Grampa, which I am sure they were there to meet him. God bless you all, I found this poem and hope it might help all of you and find some kind of comfort.
Miss Me, But Let Me Go
Author Unknown
When I come to the end of the road,
and the sun has set for me.
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little?but not too long,
and not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that was once shared.
Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take, and each must go alone.
It’s all a part of the master’s plan, a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart, go to the friends we know.
Bear your sorrow in good deeds. Miss me, but let me go.
Darlene and Cliff Jensen
Escanaba, MI
I will always remember “Dad” coming in every morning that Anna was working at the Terrace and visiting with us for a few minutes and be on his way and always telling me “not to work too hard”
He will be missed.
Mary Ann Nelson
Gladstone, MI
Scott,
We are very sorry to hear about your Father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dwayne Livermore
Las Vegas, NV