Bernard and Armie Balch

HAUGHTON, LA BALCH Bernard R. Balch and Armie Jean Balch passed away on Thursday, October 18, 2007 resulting from an automobile accident. Mr. Balch's brother Danny E. Balch, of Mannsville, New York also passed away in the automobile accident. Mr. Balch was preceded in death by his parents, Marion Brown and Manford L. Balch, and brother, Volney Balch, of Mannsville, New York. Mrs. Balch was preceded in death by her parents, Rae Cox Butler and Mose Butler of Gibsland, Louisiana; brother, Charles Butler, and sister, Evelyn Kirkpatrick. Mrs. Balch retired from Schumpert Medical Center and was recently a volunteer at Willlis-Knighton Medical Center in Bossier as part of the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Posse Auxiliary. Mr. Balch retired from the U.S. Air Force, where he served two tours of duty in Viet Nam and earned the Purple Heart. He also retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was a member of the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Posse, and also served as a fire dispatch operator for the Haughton Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. and Mrs. Balch were members of Princeton Baptist Church in Princeton, Louisiana. They loved to travel and enjoyed visiting with relatives and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Balch are survived by their two children, Melvin R. Balch, of Daphne, Alabama, and Melinda J. Means, of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren, Katrina Balch, Eric Balch, Joseph Means, and Jonathan Means. Mr. Balch is survived by his sister, Bernadene Lane of Henderson, New York and brother, Ira (Ike) Balch, of Waterloo, New York. Mrs. Balch is survived by her sister, Dorris Simmons of Blanchard, Louisiana, and brother, A.C. Butler, of Minden, Louisiana. Visitation will be at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Kidney Foundation or the American Cancer Society.