Submitted by: Dan Rich

Richard M. Balint Sr.

July 16, 1934 - May 6, 2004

South Bend Tribune 5/9/2004

Richard M. "Dumpy Dick" Balint Sr., 69, residing on Jackson Road, South Bend, Ind., passed away at 4:50 p.m. Thursday, May 6, in his home surrounded by his family. He was born July 16, 1934, in South Bend, as the son of Michael and Irene (Hancz) Balint, and had remained a lifelong resident.

On May 10, 1958, in Holy Cross Catholic Church, South Bend, he married Anne M. Steinhoffer. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Anne, along with four sons, Richard M. Balint Jr., Michael (Maria) Balint, Stephen Balint and John (Jennifer) Balint, all of South Bend. Also surviving are a granddaughter, Terry Rodreguez; three grandsons, Gregory, Kristopher and Joseph Balint; his mother, Irene Balint of South Bend; a sister, Marcia (Jerry) Kizer of Mishawaka, Ind.; and a brother, Jack (Mary) Balint of Mishawaka.

Dick retired in 1996 from the maintenance department of Allied Signal following 25 years of service. He was also a life truck mechanic for 53 years. He enjoyed Canadian fishing, camping at Lilly Lake with his family and friends, and was an avid NASCAR fan; but most of all, he loved and enjoyed his grandchildren. He was a graduate of James Whitcomb Riley High School, a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church, U.A.W. Local #9, and Knights of Columbus Council 5521. He also served his country in the United States Army.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, May 10, in St. Jude's Catholic Church. Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today, May 9, in the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend, where a parish Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. today in the funeral home. Donations in memory of Richard Balint may be made to St. Jude's Church, 19704 Johnson Road, South Bend, IN 46614; or to St. Ann's Parish Community, 421 North Broadway, P.O. Box 247, Cassopolis, MI 49031. The family wishes to thank all the Canadian fishermen for the fun and good times at Nestor Falls with Dick, to the gang at Sally's Restaurant, and especially to Jim Cerney for all that he did to help Dick be comfortable.