Roger S. Balch Obituary

Roger S. Balch
Hancock County Courier
April 30, 2009

Roger S. Balch, 67, of Chester passed away on Friday, April 24, 2009 in the Emergency Room at East Liverpool City Hospital where he was taken after becoming ill at home.
He was born January 9, 1942 in Wellsville, a son of the late Samuel and Mary Balch. He was also preceded in death by a son, Rodney Balch; and four brothers, Watler, Richard, Robert and Doc (Elmer) Balch.
Roger was a veteran of the U. S. Army 16th Infantry 198th Brigade, serving 13 months in Vietnam where he received two purple hearts. Roger was a member of American Legion Post 121, and a life time member of VFW Post 6450 in Chester. He last worked as a kiln fireman at the former TS&T Pottery in Chester. Much of his time was spent enjoying his grandchildren and he was especially proficient at horse shoes and gardening. He loved fishing, watching the Steelers, WVU Mountaineers, and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He is survived by his wife, Connie Balch; a daughter, Theresa Andews and husband Carl of Chester; a son, Chris Balch and fiancé, Courtney Laughlin of Glenmore; seven brothers, Eugene (Beverly) Balch of Athens, CO, Kenneth Balch, Herman Balch, John (Barbara) Balch, Thomas (Joyce) Brown and Denver (Vickie) Brown, all of Milfield, Oh, James (April) Brown of Todds, OH; two sisters, Mary (Jerry) Phillips of Milfield and Susie Michaels of Chester; four grandchildren; and a step-grandson.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Arner Funeral Chapel with Pastor Tom Schneidmiller officiating. Interment followed at the Shadow Lawn Memory Gardens in Newell where the West Virginia National Guard and the Tri-State Veterans Burial Group accorded full military honors.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or the American Cancer Society.