Obituary of Gerald Balog

Gerald W. "Jerry" Balog, 91, of Niles, passed away at his home, following a brief illness, on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 25, 1922 in Niles to the late John and Mary (Vertacnick) Balog. After High School, Jerry joined the U.S. Marines. He served his country proudly during WWII, in the Pacific Theatre including Iwo Jima, Guam and Guatacanal. He was a self-employed contractor most of his life. Additionally, Jerry served as a police officer with Howard Township for many years and also spent over 10 years caring for the grounds of Mission Hills Memorial Gardens. On February 19, 1958 Jerry married Frances Rohlfs at a ceremony in Watseka, Illinois. Jerry was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed spending time hunting and fishing. He was a gifted carpenter and builder, including adding a sunroom on to his home last year. He took great pride in maintaining his yard, gardens and caring for the wildlife. Jerry had a smile that could light up a room and could dance the night away. He touched the lives of many and his memory will live in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, a son Phil Balog, sisters; Dorothy "Dort" Hibbard and Mary Stewart, Pat Brockus, Amy Boyle and Marie McCauley, and brothers; John, Joe and Steve Balog He is survived by his wife Frances Balog of Niles, his children; Jerry Balog of Munising, Steven (Kathy) Balog of Goshen, Allen Balog of Three Rivers, Sherry (David) Palenchar of Elkhart, Jeff (Joyce) Balog of Grand Haven, Tamara (Craig) Mikusko of Elkhart, Jon Balog of Niles, 32 grandkids and 26 great-grandkids, and two sisters Elizabeth Rayburn of Ft. Pierce, Florida and Josephine Syson of School Section Lake. A time of visitation will be held at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel on Friday, March 7, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday at Mission Hills at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dan Greegor officiating. An entombment will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made in Jerry's memory to Hospice at Home, Inc. 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, Michigan 49085 or to Sumnerville Bible Baptist Church 61268 Indian Lake Road, Niles, MI 49120.