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Stephen Balmat Obituary
Stephen Kinyoun Balmat, The Big One, age 60, passed away on May 31 in Emmaus, PA. Steve was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, the son of Edna and the late Jack Balmat. He grew up in Allentown and Orefield, and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. After his discharge from the service, he suffered severe brain damage in a car accident initiated by a drunk driver. Reciting poetry and painting one-word originals were his hallmarks. A charming man, Steve was most generous and kind to everyone he met. Since 2009, he lived at Emmaus Village where the staff, new friends and personal caregivers Marta and Millie enriched his life and gave him loving care. Survivors: Steve is survived by his Mom, Edna; his sister, Leslie and her good friend Stanley Billig; brothers, Bruce and his wife Ruthy, Peter and his wife Beth, David and his wife Jan Marie; nephews Nigel and Jeff; nieces Ali and Jasmine; and his aunt Jane Boulton of Palo Alto, CA. He was predeceased by his niece Willow. Services: Memorial service will be held at 12 Noon Monday, June 6 at Nicos C. Elias Funeral Home, 1227 Hamilton St., Allentown. Directions at www.eliasfuneralhome.com. Contributions: Donations in Steves memory can be made to either Lehigh Valley Hospice, 2166 S. 12th St., Allentown PA 18103 or NAMI, 802 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
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Memories and Condolences
for Stephen Balmat
Cindy & Paul Seelig
June 7, 2011
Dear Aunt Edna and Balmat Family we send our deepest sympathies. Steve was a very special person. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Much love.
Priscilla Albenzi
June 6, 2011
God bless you and your family.My condolences
Kaycee & Glenn Ruprecht
June 6, 2011
Rest in Peace, Steve. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Balmat family at this time of sadness. Steve will be missed and never forgotten. Lots of good memories shared by all of his friends both before his accident and after. A rose now blooms on the other side of the garden wall. Peace be with you.....
Ray Shankweiler
June 5, 2011
Although I never knew or met Steve, I am familiar with his story. Reading these guestbook entries has given me a true picture of who he really was.
To Bruce and Ruthy and your entire family I offer my sincere condolences.
Sue Kelsey
June 5, 2011
Dearest Edna and entire Balmat family,Please accept my condolences for the loss of your beautiful son and brother. I am so sorry he didn't get the Florida vacation we talked about.
Peace and comfort are my wishes for all of you. Much love , Sue Kelsey
Cathy Ihm Dugan
June 3, 2011
My condolences to Leslie, Edna and the entire Balmat family. I have great memories of carefree times when we were teenagers at PHS. Steve could always make me laugh. I also remember Steve's long struggle in the hospital after the accident. My thoughts and sympathy are with you.
Lisa (Reichard) Hosford
June 3, 2011
To the Balmat Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of Steve..from the first time I had the honor and pleasure of meeting him. He amazed me with the way he could resite poetry. His voice was so soothing and he attonished me with the way he had so much love and warmth in what he said. He will be dearly missed by his family and all his friends whose lives he has touched. May you find comfort in your memories of him.He is now an angel watching over all of you.
Erin Burns
June 3, 2011
Rest In Peace Steve. I had the privilidge to be friends as well as a caregiver at Emmaus Village. I still have one of his short poems he has painted for me.I remember sitting and listening to his poems and him singing to the Led Zepplin Albums i brought in for him.Steve...you will be missed by many...and to your Family...God Bless.
Kristine Eckenrode
June 3, 2011
To the Balmat Family-Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always.
We are sorry for your loss.
With Love,
The Eckenrode's
Connie Williams
June 2, 2011
To the entire Balmat Family, I would like to express my deepest sympathy of your loss "STEVE" - The Original. When I first met Steve I became completely touched by what a great man he was and how he always loved to tell me poems and just make me feel great inside. Steve had such a BIG HEART and loved everyone. It was one of my greatest honors to become part of his life. I will miss him dearly and will always remember all the good things about him. Until we meet again Steve - We Love You! With all my love.
Family & Friends mean alot August 2010
Tim & Connie
June 2, 2011
Tim Williams
June 2, 2011
To the Balmat family,I am so sorry for you folks Steve was a very good person and friend. I will charish my originals that I received from Steve and will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. I feel you are my family and always will be. We will all see him again. LOVE YOU FOLK ALWAYS
Your 4 legged "nephews " also grieve for you, Big One!
the whole pack
June 2, 2011
animals are always attracted to the good souls!
jan marie
June 2, 2011
Brandi
June 2, 2011
It was an honor to help take care of Steve at Emmaus Village. He was a wonderful person with a heart of gold. I will never forget him because everytime i look at the paintings he gave me i will think of the all the good times we had. I know that he is in a safe place. Steve i will see you on the other side.
veronika
June 2, 2011
I 'm offering my prayers for Steve. I'm sure Steve is at the best and safest place at the moment.
I'm looking at his little art he gave me at your Christmas party '2008 ( it is always in my valet). It says "Truth". I'm sure he knows the Truth now.
Anyway, I recently found out that our new bodies in heaven will be so beautiful it is hard to describe. maybe people look in their 30's!
I'm sure Steve has the best time over there using his perfect body. He can run, jump and praise God.
I'm privileged that I knew him.
My love and prayers.
Veronika
Pam Speidel Austin
June 2, 2011
I remember Stephen as a very fun loving and caring person. It has been almost 40 years since we dated in high school, but I will never forget his infectious laugh and his big heart. My condolences to his family.
stephanie kollar
June 2, 2011
Steve u will be missed but never forgotten! xoxoxo!!!
The Entire Handlon Family
June 2, 2011
Both myself and my family's condolensces to the entire Balmat Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you today and for each day to follow as they have been since Steve's accident many years ago. He was truly a gift to those who new him, and a missed opportunity to meet a wonderful person and a true Brother, for those who didn't have the opportunity to know him. Ride on Brother Steve, Ride On!
Karen Yonney
June 2, 2011
Steve was such a wonderful friend to my Mother, MaryAnn, while he lived in Emmaus. I too got to know him and the special person he was. Many were blessed by his friendship and special poetry. God's love and sympathies to the entire family.
Pastor Karen Ackerman Yonney
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