James Martin Balmer passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, after suffering a massive stroke. Jim was laid to rest next to his bride of 57 years at the Newton Union Cemetery in a private gathering Friday, Dec. 16. A memorial service for Jim will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20 at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Friends and family are invited to his home immediately following the memorial service to enjoy food, drinks and companionship.
James Martin Balmer was born Oct. 22, 1937, in Emmett County. He enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1955, and served in the 103rd Signal Company until 1963. He graduated from Newton High School in 1958, and from Marshalltown Community College in 1965, with an associates degree in engineering. He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Mary (“Toots”) Minear June 20, 1959. They were blessed with one child, Kimberly (Kim).
Jim worked for Fisher Controls in Marshalltown for 35 years, retiring in 2001. His career allowed him to experience many different cultures and parts of the world, which he enjoyed immensely. Jim loved the outdoors, travel and family. Boating, fishing, pheasant hunting, woodworking, photography and his hunting dogs were his passion and pride. A day in the fields, or on the lake, followed by a family dinner, and then a game of cards around the kitchen table with his brothers, family or friends would have been considered to be the perfect day. Jim’s motto may have been “measure twice and cut once.”
Jim was preceded in death by his wife Mary; his parents; twin brother, Jack; and younger brother, Jerry. He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly (Balmer) Mellinger; granddaughters, Molly and Elizabeth; and son-in-law, David Mellinger, all of Johnston; his sister-in-law, Elaine Balmer; niece, Amy (Balmer) Chu; three great-nieces all of Marietta, Ga.; and his aunt, Bonnie (Swalwell) Eilert of Newton.
Memorials may be made out to Kim Mellinger and mailed to her at 9216 Westfield Circle, Johnston, IA 50131. A memorial fund will be established to support the fishery at the Stanley’s West Arm Camp on Eagle Lake in Ontario, Canada.