Andrew "AJ" Balasa

April 29, 1938 - Dec. 16, 2009
WAKARUSA - Andrew "AJ" Balasa, 71, of Maple Lane, died at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2009 in his residence of a brief illness with cancer. Andrew was born on April 29, 1938 in South Bend, Indiana to the late Andrew J. and Stephanie A. (Deguc) Balasa.

He has lived in Wakarusa since 1965. He was past police dispatcher for the Indiana State Police, past police officer with Buchanan and Niles Police Departments; former Wakarusa Town Marshall; owner of AJ Security and Fire Extinguisher, owner of Balasa's Archery, and retired from Employers Security.

Andrew was a 1956 graduate of Riley High School; former member of the Center Township St. Joseph County, Volunteer Fire Dept.; past president of the Wakarusa Emergency Radio Team; past chairman of the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association; member of the Wakarusa Bench Bums; and member of The Hunter, Antler Creek Lodge.

On April 23, 1960 he married Kathy (Lowman) Balasa who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Laura (Jeff) Sullivan of Sulphur Springs, IN; three sons, Bryan (Pam) Balasa of Mendon, MI, Bruce (Lynell) Balasa of Marysvale, UT, and Brad (Nicole) Balasa of Nappanee, IN; sister, Connie (Dick) Heminger of Buchanan, MI; and brother, Mike (Carol) Balasa of Palm Springs, CA; and 11 grandchildren.

Services will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday December 21, 2009 in Bible Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, with his son, Rev. Bryan Balasa and Rev. David Harper officiating. Friends may ball from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, December 21, 2009 in Bible Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 205 E. Waterford St., Wakarusa, IN. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care. Rieth-Rohrer-Ehret-Lienhart Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.rrefh.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Dec. 18, 2009.

06/17/2023 EJS

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