Balzer, John D. (1911-2002)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2002 Jul 12 p. 27

Birth date: 1911 Jul 1

text of obituary:

JOHN D. BALZER

John D. Balzer of Abbotsford, B.C. passed away May 13. He was born July 1, 1911 to David and Maria Balzer in Talma, Terek, Russia. After his father died in 1918, the family fled to Suvorovka, Schardau and Molotschna. In 1925 they immigrated to Herbert, Sask. He accepted Christ in his youth through a radio program, was baptized and joined Coaldale (Alta.) MB Church. He attended Coaldale Bible School. He married Mary Goertzen in 1936. He worked on a farm in Coaldale . They moved to Hammond, B.C. in 1942 and Pitt Meadows, B.C. in 1945. He was a mechanic, worked in the peat bog and was a millwright for B.C. Forest Products in Hammond for 23 years until retirement. In retirement, he repaired lawn mowers. They moved to Maple Ridge, B.C. in 1960, to Clearbrook, B.C. in 1980 and to Hallmark Assisted Living in 2000. He was a member of Bakerview MB Church, Abbotsford. Predeceased by 2 brothers and 6 sisters, he is mourned by Mary; daughter Elsie Johnson; son Don; 3 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. The funeral was May 17 at Hallmark , with Don Merritt and Jake Balzer ministering.