Harry Balmer, 78

Harry Allen Balmer, 78, of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at his residence. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Hysell and Pastor Rex Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Union Hill Cemetery, Chesapeake, Ohio.

Harry was born April 20, 1934, in Bluffton, Ohio, a son of the late John and Lula Mae Drye Balmer. He served as pastor for 36 years at Midland Missionary Baptist Church, was involved in 4-H for 30 plus years, and was in charge of maintenance for Green School Systems for 20 years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, William Balmer. Harry is survived by his wife, Gloria Davis Balmer; three children, Rebekah Marshall, Paul Balmer, and Ruth Boggs; six grandchildren, Julie Hogue, Janelle Bardon, Allen Keith Klaiber, Jared Klaiber, Atlanta Boggs, and Tory Allen Balmer; six great grandchildren, Trevin Hogue, Trent Crites, Courtney Hogue, Taylor Crites, Trinity Bardon, and Ty Bardon; and three brothers, Dick Balmer, Tom Balmer, and Jim Balmer.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home, Chesapeake, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to Midland Missionary Baptist Church, 2801 Gallia Pike, Franklin Furnace, Ohio 45629. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.schneidergriffin.com.