Bellville Times
August 2003
A Funeral Mass for Charles Herman Balke, Sr. was celebrated at 11 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church,
Father Tim Bucek, Celebrant.
Interment followed in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Jimmy Balke, Everett Schmidt, Leslie Behrens, Andy Acker,
J.D. Rinn, Cornell Giese, Gerald Schovajsa and Ronnie Pilcik.
Honorary pallberaers were Jimmy Buenger, Paul Becker, Kermit Kolwes, Eddie Krause,
Paul Burnside, Danny Poffenberger and Leland Maeckel.
A Vigil service was held at 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15, 2003 at the Schmidt
Funeral Home Chapel in Bellville.
He was born Jan. 4, 1932 in Brenham to parents Charles H. and Annie
Schramm Balke. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith.
A 1950 graduate of Bellville High School, Charles served his country in
the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
He was united in marriage with Tillie Pilcik on July 14, 1953 at the
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Industry. They have made their
home in Industry where they have been members of Immaculate Conception.
Charles had been employed in the Engineering Department of the Texas
Highway Department retiring after 32 years of service.
He was a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, a member of the West End Lions
Club, Prairie Chapter Coastal Conservation Association, the Industry
Volunteer Fire Department and the Austin County Cattlemen's Association.
He was also a meber of the Bellville and Round Top/Carmine Booster Clubs and
the KJT Brenham Chapter. He enjoyed fishing, his Matagorda camphouse,
hunting and sports. A devoted grandfather, he loved and cherished the time he spent with his
grandchildren.
Charles Herman Balke, Sr. passed away Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003 in Houston
at the age of 71.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years Tillie Balke of Industry,
children Charles Balke, Jr. and his wife Pat of Industry, Sharon Behnke
and her husband Freddie of Round Top and Linda Kettler and her husband Marcus
of Brenham, grandchildren Nick Balke of Memphin, Tenn., Jeremy Balke of
Industry, Byrn Behnke and Jill Behnke both of Round Top. He is also
survived by his brothers Casper Balke of Bleiblerville, Otto Acker and his wife
Peggy of Brenham; sister Jo Ann Kramer and her husband Billy Jo of Houston,
brother-in-law Eddie Pilcik and his wife Alice of Industry, sisters-in-law
Bessie Broz and her husband Jim and Evelyn Goeke and her husband Gilbert,
all of Bleiblerville, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many
friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Charles Balke and his mother Annie
Balke Acker, step-father Otto Acker, Sr., father-in-law Eddie Pilcik,
mother-in-law Mary Pilcik and his sister-in-law Celesta Balke.
Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church, P.O. Box 808, Bellville, Texas 77418 or to the Austin
County Unit, American Cancer Society in care of Verna Lois Deere, P.O. Box
501, Bellville, Texas 77418.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Schmidt Funeral Home,
Bellville, Texas.
Posted by Joy Neely
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