Submitted by: Dan Rich
July 21, 1913 - April 25, 2007
South Bend Tribune 4/27/2007
MISHAWAKA - James E. Balcom, 93, passed away peacefully in
his sleep at his residence on April 25, 2007. James was born on
July 21, 1913, in Quals, Oklahoma, to John and Lou (McKey)
Balcom.
James married the former Vera Russell
on January 28, 1933, in Truman, Arkansas; they shared 63 years of
marriage and commitment to each other. Vera passed away on
December 27, 1996. Surviving James are a daughter, Estine
(Howard) Mendenhall of Mishawaka. James is also survived
by three sisters, Delane (Walter) Blacharski of South
Bend, Erma (Eugene) Boling and Dorothy Henley.
James is survived by two grandchildren, Scott (Carol) Balcom of
Indianapolis and Gina (Woody) Dillon of Acworth, Georgia.
James was a loving great-grandfather to three
great-grandchildren, Tiffany, Tyler and Macy Balcom, all from
Indianapolis, IN. James was preceded in death by a son, Donald
Balcom, who passed away in 2002; a brother, Ray Balcom; and his
parents, John and Lou Balcom.
James served his country in the Army during
World War II and received an honorable discharge in February
1946. James was formerly employed at Uniroyal and retired after
27 years of service. James was a member of the United Pentecostal
Church of South Bend. James was very active, he enjoyed doing his
own yard work, and would get his exercise by walking daily inside
the University Park Mall.
The family will receive friends from noon to
2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, in the Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N.
Main St., Mishawaka. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m.
Saturday following visitation in the funeral chapel, with Pastor
Kenneth Mendenhall officiating. The burial will follow the
service at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Memorial
contributions may be made to The Center for Hospice and
Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN
46637.