Mary Balmes Obituary

Balmes, Mary Estelle (Rupp) 84, passed away May 5, 2005, in Canton, OH. the oldest of nine children, she was born October 14, 1920, in Davenport, IA, to the late Phillip and Josephine (Pfannenstiel) Rupp. She spent her youth in Chicago where she left school at age 15 to help support her large family. During WWII, she married John Joseph Balmes of Wadsworth, IL, who preceded her in death in 1997. They raised their seven children, mostly in Waukegan, IL, then Savannah, GA, where they ultimately retired. Mary knew as a child that she loved to sing, so at age ten, she joined her church's choir and continued to sing in her church choirs for 65 years. She also sang in the Waukegan Philharmonic Society and a small band which entertained at veterans' hospitals and wedding. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Jo Johnson, Anna Syzmanski and Pauline Schultz. She is survived by children, Fred (Ginny) of the Woodlands, TX, Bob (Nancy) of Marietta, GA, Jim (Sue) of Wilmington, NC, Virginia (Mike) McDonald of Canton, OH, Phyllis of Charlotte, NC, Geoff (Margaret) of Lilburn, GA, and Christina Wheeler of Ft. Worth, TX, grandchildren, Brian (Patty), Jennifer (Jason) King, Debby (Brian) Freel, Julie (Tom) Bolster, Steve (Priscilla), Susan, Brendan (Bridgette), Darlene (Rick) Weber, Karen (Pattric) Patterson, Rick and Martha McDonald, Emelie and Carol, Skyler and Bridget Wheeler, great-grandchildren, Erin, Rylie, Benjamin, Christopher, Katherine, Mary, Jonathan, Cassidy, Caleb, Jacob, Madilyn, Austin, Claire, Caitlin, Joseph; her sisters, Barb (Eddie) Brennan, Rita (Steve) Pauluv, Dorothy Bauer, Linda Rupp and her brother, Phil Rupp. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, June 4, 2005, 10:30 a.m., at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 910 14th St., North Chicago, IL, 60064, followed by interment at Ascension Cemetery, Liberyville, IL. If you wish to make a donation in Mary's name, the family suggests The House of Loreto, 2812 Harvard Ave., NW, Canton, OH, 44709, run by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Divine Spirit, who took such excellent care of her during her illness.