Eldon Arthur Balgeman

Eldon A. Balgeman, 91, of Kankakee passed away on February 2, 2016, at Presence St. Mary’s Hospital. On January 13, 1925, he was born on the family farm in Buckingham, Illinois, to Arthur and Ella (Krueger) Balgeman. Eldon married Ruth Adam 68 years ago on December 27, 1947. Eldon was in the Army and served in WWII from January 1945 through November 1946. He was stationed in the Philippines and was awarded several ribbons and medals. Not long after returning home from the war he worked for International Harvester, but he eventually spent most of his career working for Roper Corporation at the manufacturing plant in Kankakee. There he spent over 30 years, working his way up from a draftsman to a Project Engineer. Eldon was a 68-year member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he served as an Elder, sang in the choir, and served on many boards, including the NID Mission Board. He was an avid supporter of Laborers for Christ, where he helped build many churches across the Midwest, and was also involved in many construction charities over the years, including Christmas in April. Eldon is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Kankakee; sons Rev. Donald (Gloria) Balgeman of St. Charles, IL; William (Kim) Balgeman of Kankakee; Robert (Karen) Balgeman of Johnson Creek, WI; Thomas (Beth) Balgeman of New Berlin, WI; and Timothy (Robin) Balgeman of Warrenville, IL. He is also survived by two sisters: Doris Speckman of Chebanse, IL, and Ellen (Hugo) Hasz of Pataskala, OH. He has 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Eldon is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Ella Balgeman; stillborn daughter, Mary; brother, Gerhardt Balgeman; sister, Alvina Berger; and daughter-in-law, Deborah (Glammeyer) Balgeman. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 7, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Schreffler Funeral Home, Kankakee Chapel. There will be a visitation on Monday, February 8, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m. funeral service at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kankakee, IL. Rev. Karl Koeppen will be officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Bonfield, IL. Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church: Building/Endowment/Maintenance Fund, or St. Matthew’s Soup Kitchen in Chicago. Please sign his guestbook at www.schrefflerfuneralhome.com

Eldon Arthur Balgeman

January 13, 1925 - February 2, 2016

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Eldon Arthur Balgeman

January 13, 1925 - February 2, 2016

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Sympathy Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information