Marguerite W. Balch

BALCH, Marguerite W.
Of Kalamazoo
Passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 24, 2007. Marguerite was born August 12, 1908, in Allegan County, the daughter of William Abraham and Barbara Amanda Boyes Saunders and has been a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident. Through the years she was very active in the Oakwood community by being involved in Oakwood, Inc., the Oakwood Senior Center, the community schools, and served as an election official. She was also an active member of the Oakwood United Methodist Church and currently a member of the Oshtemo-Oakwood United Methodist Church. Marguerite enjoyed many years of wintering in Weslaco, TX. On June 9, 1927 she was united in marriage to Thurlo ?Art? Balch who preceded her in death on February 28, 1992. Marguerite was also preceded in death by her parents; five brothers; two sisters; two sons, Norman and Marvin Balch; a grandson and a great-grandson. Surviving are her children, Patricia William Henry of Kalamazoo, Beverly Louis Markword of Benzonia, Gaylord Balch of Mendon, Phyllis Esman of Portage, Barbara Richard Shand of Mill Valley, CA, Bonnie Jean Frye of Kalamazoo; daughter-in-laws, Grayce and Lynn Balch; 20 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and 28 great-great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Kenneth Saunders, Ira Jean Saunders, Verladyne Gerald DeLoof and Laurence Saunders; sister-in-law, Jean Saunders; many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th St. Funeral Services will be held 1:30 PM Friday at the Westside Chapel. A private interment will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Memorials in Marguerite?s memory may be directed to the Oshtemo-Oakwood United Methodist Church, the Oakwood Neighborhood Association, Hospice of SW Michigan or the Alzheimer?s Association. www.langelands.com 343-1508