Bernard Balthazor

COMMERCE - Bernard Glen Balthazor, 82, died Friday, February 13, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospice House in Athens.

Born in Momence, Ill., he was the son of late Fred and Flossie Balthazor. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Momence, Ill., Commerce, and finally in Athens. Mr. Balthazor was the plant manager at Baker and Taylor. When he retired, he worked for the University of Georgia Extension Service and owned his own business. He loved to hunt and garden, but most of all, he loved his family, loved ones stated.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly; sister and brother-in-law, Priscilla and Earnest Lesch; children, Susan and Marvin Mason, Jack and Frances Balthazor, and Ron and Jane (Hudson) Balthazor; grandchildren, Thomas and Aimee Ballentine, Scott and Andrea Mason, Christopher and Angelia Balthazor, Katherine Hudson, Daniel Balthazor, and Cara Mason; and great-grandchildren, Robert Ballentine, Nicholas Ballentine, Jonathan Ballentine, and Myles Balthazor.

The family will receive friends at Little-Ward Funeral Home in Commerce on Thursday, February 19 at 5 pm. A memorial service will follow at the funeral home chapel at 7 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Mary's Hospice House, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604, and indicate that the gift is made in memory of Bernie Balthazor.

Little-Ward Funeral Home Commerce is in charge of arrangements.