Jean Balmer

Jean Loraine Balmer, of Winona Lake, passed away surrounded by her family at 7:28 a.m. Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, at the age of 92.

She was born on July 20, 1931, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Minnie Alverta (Diehl) and Charles William Slagel. At the young age of 19, she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with a young man named Robert Shreiner Balmer. On July 1, 1951, in Lititz, Pa., she married Robert, and they were blessed to have celebrated 63 years of marriage together before he passed away on Nov. 10, 2014.

Over 30 years ago, Jean and Robert made their home in Kosciusko County, where they were members of Community Grace Brethren Church in Warsaw. She enjoyed the time she spent with her friends at the Akron Senior Citizens Club. Jean loved her family dearly and was a wonderful homemaker and mother and later loved being a grandmother and great-grandmother.

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Patricia “Patti” Boren, Winona Lake, and daughter-in-law, Deb Balmer, Warsaw. She leaves behind six grandchildren, Joshua (Jennie) Boren, Leesburg, Matthew (Monica) Boren, Warsaw, Benjamin (Katy) Boren, Winona Lake, Johanna (Andrew) Palladino, Warsaw, Shelley (David) Brigham, Alaska, and Jon (Ashley) Balmer, North Webster; and 17 great-grandchildren, Whitney, Noah, Riley, Silas, Abner, Adeline, Beatrice, Gracie, John, Adah, Jack, Randi, Kolden, Melissa, Andrew, James and Otto. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Balmer; son, Randy Balmer in 2012; son-in-law, John Boren in 2012; four brothers; and one sister.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, and officiated by her grandson, Matt Boren. Friends and family are invited to meet at 4 p.m. at Leesburg Grace Brethren Church, 101 W. School St., Leesburg, to celebrate Jean’s life with a time of fellowship. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

Memorial donations in Jean’s memory may be directed to Lakeland Christian Academy, 1093 S. 250E, Winona Lake, IN  46590.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.