08/19/2008

Larry A. Baltzell

August 17, 2008

Larry A. Baltzell, 57, Celina, formerly of Rockford, died Sunday August 17, 2008, at his residence. Larry was the father of Scott Baltzell, OFDA District #2 President and funeral director with Wappner Funeral Directors, Mansfield.

He was born October 23, 1950, in Celina, to Fred A. and Martha J. Robbins Baltzell. On June 7, 1970 he married the love of his life, Sheila Wood and she survives.

Surviving are his mother, Martha Baltzell; three sons; Christopher (Leslie) Baltzell, Scott (Carianne) Baltzell and Drs. Thomas (Ann) Baltzell; his grandchildren: Joey and Dylan Baltzell, Alexander Baltzell, and expectant twin boys in October 2008; one brother; Todd (Karla) Baltzell, and three sisters; Connie (Denny) Hamrick, Laura (Mark) Burger and Amy (Tom) Lyons, and his mother-in-law, Virginia Wood, two sisters-in-law; Holly (Paul) Pabis, and Colleen (Wally) O'Steen, and a host of loving nieces and nephews and wonderful friends and family.

Deceased are his father, Fred Baltzell, grandparents, Floyd and Mabel (Wurster) Baltzell, George and Bessie (Morrison) Kinder, Jr. and Domer "Cherry" Robbins.

Larry co-owned The Rockford Press for 10 years and retired from Findlay Industries as a Project Engineer. He was a lifelong member of Rockford Presbyterian Church, formerly coached little league for nine years, served on the Rockford Village Council for two years, was a former volunteer arson investigator and a volunteer Rockford firefighter and assistant fire chief. He once trained and raced harness horses and had formerly belonged to Harley-Davidson Owners' Group. Larry never had a loss for words. Those who knew him would remember his quick wit, his humor, and his love for Nascar and Harley-Davidson Motor Cycles. Larry had a great love for his entire family. Larry courageously fought Erdheim-Chester Disease for over twenty years. This rare orphan disorder is a histiocytic bone disease, and Larry was the longest living patient. Only 158 cases have ever been diagnosed, worldwide, since 1928. Larry held a special place in his heart for his physicians, Dr. Jerry Sell, MD, and Dr. William Malarkey, MD, and his care-givers, Jessica Sheets, RN, and Home Health Aide, Dawn Loy from State of the Heart Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 21, 2008, at Rockford Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Friends may call at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be directed to State of the Heart Hospice, Rockford Recreation Association and Leota Braun Foundation.

Condolences can be sent to ketchamripleyfh@embarqmail.com .