George Christian "Chris" Balmer  80, passed away at Carle Clinic in Champaign, IL, Saturday, April 4, 2015. Services at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney  with interment in Houser Cemetery. 

Chris was born, April 22, 1934 in Olney. He was the only child of Harry Harrison Balmer and Trella Grace (Stine) Balmer. Chris married Betty (Seaton) in 1957, she survives. He later Married Mary Myers Haerr on June 3, 1977, she also survives.

Chris graduated from Olney High School in 1952 and began working with Illini Builders. He served in the US Army from 1954-1956 in Germany during the Cold War. Upon returning home he was again employed with Illini Builders and retired in 1994 after more than 40 years. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion. He was a member of the First Church of Olney. His personal passion was for fishing.

Chris is survived by son, Jim Balmer and wife Teresa of Villa Grove, IL;  daughter, Barbara Ping and husband Larry of Olney; step-son, Chris Haerr and wife Carolyn of Spring City, TN,; step-son, Robin Haerr and wife Betty of Olney;  step-son-in-law, Bernie Rusk and wife Carolyn of Olney;  step-daughter, Diana Willis and husband Larry of Vincennes, IN;  step-son, Philip Haerr of Elizabethton, TN;  step-daughter, Grace Yamato of Olney and husband Kiyoshi of Saitama, Japan,

15 step-grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren and several lifetime friends. 

He was preceded in death by parents, step-daughter, Joyce Rusk of Noble.

Summers-Kistler Funeral Home, Olney, IL  obituary and photo posted April 6, 2015