Gary Lee Balke — Hansen-Spear

Gary L. Balke, age 76, Quincy, died Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 8:50 am in Good Samaritan Home.

Gary was born September 13, 1947 in Collinsville, IL, the son of Leroy and Alma Mateer Balke. He married Jane Halbe on August 30, 1969. She preceded him in death on February 10, 1994. He later married Margaret ‘Midge’ Radkins on September 13, 1997. She preceded him in death on September 2, 2002. He went on to marry Lia Happel Edmonds on November 19, 2005, in First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Quincy, IL. She survives.

Gary graduated from Edwardsville High School and went on to attain a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. He worked at Doane Agricultural Services Company in St. Louis. Upon accepting a position in the Farm Management Division at Mercantile Bank, the Balkes relocated to Quincy. In 1981, Gary founded Balke Agri-Service, where he remained until his retirement in 2018.

Gary was an active member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Quincy, where he served as an Elder and a Deacon. He enjoyed serving his church community in whatever capacity he could. He was also a member of the Noon Kiwanis and the Lions Club. Farming was his passion, in his spare time he could be found working on the farm and absolutely loved driving his John Deere Tractor. Gary was very much a family man who loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. They have many fond memories of hunting, fishing, and four wheeling together.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Lia, include: two children, Erin (Shane) Bower of Columbia, MO, and Michael Balke of Gilbert, AZ; five grandchildren, Julia Bower of Chicago, IL, William Bower of DesMoines, IA, Jack Bower of Columbia, MO, Kaleb Balke of Gilbert, AZ, and Nolan Balke of Gilbert, AZ; and a brother, Nelson Balke of Madison, WI.

In addition to his previous wives, Gary was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Darrell Balke.

Visitation: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.

Services: 10:00 am, Friday, September 13, 2024, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, with Rev. Stacey Nicholas officiating. Burial will follow in Greenmount Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church or to American Parkinson’s Disease Association, Greater St. Louis Chapter (APDA). Memorial Donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com

www.hansenspear.com

Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.