Dale L. Balmer

Dale Balmer

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. at Richmond Avenue Baptist Church at 304 Richmond Ave N. in Lehigh Acres, for Dale L. Balmer, 69, who died Oct. 22, 2011. He was born Dec. 23, 1941 and was the son of the late John and Marie Balmer of Mason, Mich. He was the youngest of four children. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by a brother, Lavern of Mason, Mich.

Balmer served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1965. He also worked in Lansing, Mich., as an auto mechanic. He also was interested in woodworking and was an excellent carpenter and he remodeled homes as well. His favorite hymn was Amazing Grace.

He had a love for fast cars, rebuilding motors and restoring cars. He shared knowledge with his sons. They have rebuilt many motors together. Balmer was very knowledgeable in many areas. Often times, sons Bruce and Darrell would call just to get his input for many projects.

Balmer lived with Bruce for the last 2 1/2 years of his life. He enjoyed family times, gardening, repairing and mowing the yard. He found little things in the yard that he could repair or tinker with, his family said.

He is survived by two sons, Bruce (Cynthia) of Fort Myers and grandchildren, Elizabeth and Brooke (JR) and his great-grandsons, Allan and Tucker.; and his second son, Darrell (April) of Saginaw, Texas, and grandchildren, Chad and Brent, and an adopted daughter, Buffy, of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Also surviving are his sisters, Ilene (Leonard) and their children of Mason, Mich.; Eva May (Martin) and their children of Farewell, Mich., his sister-in-law, Lavern (Joyce) and their children of Mason, Mich., and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the After the Rain of Southwest Florida, a tax-free organization at 2925 Montclair Ave., Fort Myers, FL, 33901.