Zella Gaye Pugh Cadger Balas

Zella Gaye Pugh Cadger Balas, 89, a resident of Amherst, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at Amherst Manor Nursing Home following a short illness. She was born September 25, 1920, in Troutdale, Va. Zella was a resident of Grafton for most of her life and has been a resident of Amherst since 2004. She was employed as a second grade school teacher for the Midview Elementary School for 30 years. While in Amherst, she tutored at Shupe Elementary School from 2007 to 2008, winning the Crystal Apple Award for her service. She was a member of the Elyria Foursquare Gospel Church, past president of the Elyria Women's Club; the American Association of University Women; the Gourmet Club; and the Graftons Lions Club. One of her loves was traveling the world. Survivors include her sons and their wives, Walter Cadger III, of Adeland, Calif., Gregory Allen Cadger, of Placerville, Calif., the Rev. Ronald James and Barbara Balas, Timothy Jay and Brenda Balas, and James Scott and Michelle Balas, all of Brownhelm Township; her daughter, Shelly Mericle and her husband, Tim, of New Russia Township; 16 grandchildren; 10 greatgrandchildren; and her cousin and his wife, Robert and Ruth Andrews, of Galax, Va. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Walter Cadger; her second husband of 23 years, James Balas, on August 1, 2003; her son, Wayne Balas, in 1996; her great-grandson, Maxwell Lee; her parents, Gaither and Zena Pugh (nee: Williams); her brothers, Gaither Pugh Jr. and John Donald Pugh; and by her aunt, Elma Andrews. Friends may call Saturday, October 10, 2009, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Additional visitation will be held on Monday, October 12, 2009, at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, 44 Dan Walters Dr., Independence, Va. where funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Ted Bartlett, pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Galax, Va., will officiate. Burial will be in Troutdale Cemetery, Troutdale, Va. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Amherst Manor Activities Fund, 175 North Lake St., Amherst, Ohio 44001.