Alfreds Balcers

BALCERS, Mr. Alfreds E. Paw Paw Our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away Wednesday evening, August 13, 2003, at LakeView Community Hospital, Paw Paw. Mr. Balcers was born in Kabile, Latvia, September 12, 1911, the son of Otto and Darte Balcers. Alfreds and his family came to Kalamazoo in 1952. He was employed by Brown Company, retiring in 1975. He served as a Lieutenant in the Latvian Army, and was a lifelong member of Virsnieku Apvieniba and the Ventonia Fraternity. He helped build and was a life member of the St. John Latvian Lutheran Church. His main interest was the outdoors, including fishing, hunting and wildlife. He was also a real estate entrepreneur. In 1940, he married Aina Mezciems in Latvia, and she preceded him in death May 31, 1980. He was also preceded in death by his grandson, David Obermiller in 1995; four brothers and two sisters. Leaving to cherish his memory are his daughter and son-in-law, Ilona and James Obermiller of Grand Rapids; a granddaughter, Susan (Brett) Heydenberk of Grand Rapids; four great-grandchildren, Kalie, Hannah, Chloe and Bryce David Heydenberk; a sister-in-law, Elsie Mosbroker of Kalamazoo; nieces, nephews and cousins of Latvia and England; and a special friend Joe Rzanca. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Services will be held 12 o'clock (Noon) Monday at the Latvian Ev. Lutheran United Church, 122 Cherry Hill Drive, with Rev. Leons Viksne officiating. Interment in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the Ventonia Fraternity or Selga Sorority. JOLDERSMA & KLEIN 917 S. Burdick 343-2628 Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 8/15/2003. (Posted by a volunteer-no family connection)

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