Melvin "Mel" Ballinger

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San Diego State University

FUNERAL HOME

Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home Inc.

174 North Lyman Street

Wadsworth, Ohio

Melvin Ballinger Obituary

Melvin "Mel" Ballinger

WADSWORTH Melvin "Mel" Ballinger, 84, joined his Higher Power on Sunday, July 4, 2004.

Mel was born in San Diego, Calif. Following high school and military service, he attended San Diego State, worked in Saudi Arabia for eight years, and upon returning to the U.S., chose the Cleveland/Akron area as home for the past 47 years. Most recently he was a resident of Wadsworth, after retiring as comptroller of Nowsco Oil of Wooster. Mel was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II, a lifelong member of the Masons, a proud and active participant in Dr. Bob & Bill W.'s group for over 24 years, and a member of Rotary International. He was also an active volunteer with the Edwin Shaw Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Recovery Group. This loving group has named their clubhouse-to-be- the "Ballinger House." Mel also was able to achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a private pilot and was actively involved in the Skypark Airport community.

Preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Leon, Mel is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Maxine; his sons, Jay (Mary Ann) of Akron, Alan (Margaret) of Boston Heights, Nor man (Catherine) of Austin, Texas; daughter, Linda Fiatal (Bob) of Sagamore Hills; seven grandchildren, Trevor, Josh, Melissa, Annie, James, Jessica, and Caitlin; and three great- grandchildren, Connor, Andrew, and Thomas. Mel has left us with a fond memory of a man who exercised both his mind and body, active and involved in life until the end. He taught us to love travel, books, change, and family.

A memorial service will be at Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron, 3300 Morewood Rd., Fairlawn, Ohio 44333, Satur day, July 10, 2004, at 3 p.m. There will be no calling hours. In keeping with his generosity, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Ballinger TBI Club house, P.O. Box 26453, Akron, Ohio 44319-9998 (330-650- 5141). (Hilliard & Mullaney, 330-334-1501.)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Akron Beacon Journal from Jul. 8 to Jul. 9, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Melvin Ballinger

11 Entries

Juliet Kandel

July 12, 2004

Dear Maxine and Family,

How sad I was to learn this weekend of Mel's passing. I will forever connect you two (Mel and Maxine) with New Years Eve, Super Bowl and Olympics potluck parties at Bob's house and New Years Eve of 1998/99 riding those buses and walking all around Akron in the freezing cold. Blessings to you all and God Bless Mel. Lots of love and prayers, Juliet

Diane Wargo-Mayer

July 12, 2004

Maxine and family,

I'm sorry if the first entry did not get through to you so it bears repeating to let you know of the fondness I have for you and Mel. I loved to tell Mel he would look like Arnold Schwarzenegger if he kept working out and now we can be sure that he looks beautiful in his new heavenly body. With the deepest respect and love,

Diane

Christina Bowman

July 9, 2004

Having never met Mr. Ballinger, I nevertheless felt compelled to send my condolences to his family. My husband and I recently met Mr. Norman Ballinger and his sweet wife, Catherine, briefly. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

ken chapman

July 9, 2004

mel was a true friend to all in aa.I know i will miss him at wed morning at shaw.He took his aa program very serious.My prayers are with mels family.

Peggy Shecket

July 8, 2004

All of us at the Brain Injury Association of Ohio are sorry to learn of Mel's death. He will truly be missed.

Sincerely,

Bill Arnold

July 8, 2004

"God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December."Barrie

Maxine and family...THANK YOU for

sharing Mel!He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of being near him.Our prayers are with you as Mel attends his meetings with others that have gone before him! HUGS,BILL :)

Randy Gyulay

July 8, 2004

I was fortunate enough to know Mel for the last eight years. He taught me much about really living. He will be missed by many.

Audrey White

July 8, 2004

Wishing and hoping for healing comfort to Maxine and Family. Mel did so much for so many and this too was demonstrated by his Family.

God Bless you all.

Martha Cangemi

July 8, 2004

Mel was one of the greatest persons in my life. He was my mentor and he was my friend, and never asked for anything in return. I will miss him.

Darlene L. D'Altorio, PT.

July 8, 2004

It is with great regret that I ran across Mel's name this morning while looking for someone else. We were very fortunate to have someone like Mel living in our community that had done such great things for persons with brain injury. The people at Edwin Shaw Hospital will miss his loving touch and his passion to improve the lives of persons who sustained a brain injury. I am happy that his good works will live through the Ballinger House project and hope that many others will carry on his kindness by supporting the cause he so deeply cherished.

Blessings to all who will miss him,

Darlene L. D'Altorio, PT.

Director of Rehabilitation

Edwin Shaw Hospital for Rehabilitation

Hilliard & Mullaney Funeral Home Inc.

July 8, 2004

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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