Westfield
James David Balsley, 65, of Westfield, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 20, 2016, after a three year battle with esophageal cancer. He was born on August 25, 1951, to Richard and Margaret Kathryne (Carson) Balsley in Hartford City, Indiana.
Jim attended North Anderson Elementary, Central Junior High and graduated from Anderson High School with the class of 1969. He has many fond memories of his school years and recently greatly enjoyed reconnecting with many classmates. Jim attended GMI in Flint, Michigan, Tri State in Angola and graduated from Ball State with a BS degree in 1974 and an MS in degree 1977. He married Janet Lee Crum on July 1, 1979, at Hopewell United Methodist Church in rural Frankfort; he was a member of Bethany Christian Church in Anderson and Noblesville First United Methodist Church. Jim taught in the Noblesville school system for 38 years and coached varsity tennis for over 30 years. He also participated in Westfield Youth Sports for several years as a coach and director. Family was very important to Jim and he greatly enjoyed getting together with and talking to his extended family, including many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Jim is survived by his mother, Kathryne; his wife, Janet; two sons, Patrick Richard Balsley of Fishers and Nicholas James Balsley of Noblesville; sister, Celia Ann Grise of Greensburg; sister-in-law, Jo Ann Balsley of Somerset, Pennsylvania; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Lewis Balsley; two brothers, Richard Scott and Rex Lewis; brother-in-law, Kenneth Grise; grandparents, Winfield Scott and Margaret Balsley, and Dorance and Esther Carson; and mother-in-law, Doris Ellen Crum.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, November 25, 2016, at Randall & Roberts Funeral Center, 1685 Westfield Road, in Noblesville. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 26, 2016, at the funeral home with Pastor Kent Stookey officiating. Graveside services will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Hopewell Cemetery, 3460 E. County Road 500N, in Frankfort, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to Burnsville Christian Church, 2891 S. County Road 900E, Columbus, Indiana 47203; or Hopewell Cemetery Association, c/o Lee Paris, 2566 E. County Road 600N, Frankfort, Indiana 46041.
Condolences: www.randallroberts.com.
