John Balma

John Balma, 96, resident of Highland Trail in Broomfield, CO, passed away peacefully in his home on November 2, 2011. John was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 10, 1915, the ninth child of James and Marguerite Balma. He graduated in 1933 from Carl Schurz High School in mechanical engineering and later completed accounting courses at Northwestern University. On October 16, 1942 he married Cleo Munson Ellis in Chicago, Illinois.
John worked for Revere Copper and Brass where he rose from mail room clerk to chief cost accountant. During this period he studied voice and trained as a lyric tenor, but decided to use this talent primarily for God. He joined Medalist Publications, and moved from accounting to office manager and later personnel director. He also taught business courses at Northwestern University.
John and Cleo moved to La Grange Park and then Des Plaines, IL. John served as choir director and song leader for the La Grange Bible Church and the Des Plaines Bible Church. He frequently sang sacred solos for both of these churches. In 1971 the Balmas moved to Schaumburg, IL where John went into business for himself opening an AAMCO franchise three years earlier.
John and Cleo gradually became Coloradans. In 1974 they purchased a condo in Breckenridge and in 1979 a summer residence in Blue River. John was an avid fisherman, who converted easily from fishing musky in the north woods to trout in the Blue River. In 1996 their conversion was complete when they moved into a condominium in Evergreen for the winter months. After 15 years in Evergreen they moved into Highland Trails in Broomfield in March 2011. In September John celebrated his 96th birthday and in October John and Cleo celebrated 69 years of marriage.
John is survived by his wife Cleo of Broomfield; his daughter and her husband, Sherrilyn and Dale Anderson of Annecy, France; son and his wife, Thomas and Nancy Balma of Broomfield; son and his wife, John M. and Carrie Balma of Breckenridge; 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are by Newcomers. A private burial will take place at Golden Cemetery, Golden, CO., followed by a memorial service to be held on Friday, November 11 at 2:30 PM at Newcomer's West Metro Chapel, 901 South Sheridan Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80226.