Arta M. Balyint

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Arta Mae Thomas Balyint, 95, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on November 30, 2025. She was born on April 13, 1930, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to the late Arthur Unger Thomas and Dora Mae Taylor Bradford Thomas. She grew up in the beautiful valleys of Payson and Spanish Fork, Utah, alongside her many siblings (17) and her large, loving family.

Arta met her beloved husband, Steve F. Balyint, of Cleveland, Ohio, when fate brought them together while he was stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Utah after serving overseas in the Korean War. They were married in 1955 in Salt Lake City, and shared 29 years together until his passing in 1984. Though Steve "took her from her home" as she often teased, he kept a tender promise to her heart-returning with her to Utah for long summer visits almost every year so she could be surrounded by the family she cherished. Those long summer drives out West became some of the sweetest memories of our family's time together.

Arta was a loving mother to Tonie Mae Balyint Schleimer (deceased 2016), Richard Dean (Darlene) Duncan, Kristine Street, Sydney (Dale) Lee, Stephen Balyint (deceased 2017), and Dora Ann Balyint (David) Sword.

Grandmother to Justin, Melynda, Evan, Christian, Gwyneth, Megan, Cody, Matthew, Casey, Kelly, Sara, Christopher, Randy, Steven, Brianna and Camryn. Great-grandmother to Mitchell, Kyle, Mackenzie, Kenton, Kayla, Aleasia, Brandon, Quinn, Jenna, Morgan, Kelsey, Kaitlin, Keaton, Rhys, Ari, Kristine, Kimberly, Jaren, Josslyn, Crystal, Laila, Hunter, Summer, Autumn, Lilyana, and River; and great-great-grandmother to many others.

In 1956, Arta and Steve moved to Ohio, where she raised her family and worked part-time as an industrial seamstress, sharpening her craft at Wagner Awning and Manufacturing Company, Chalfant Sewing, and later retiring from Sherba Industries. As a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Arta served faithfully in many callings. Her greatest joy was working in the genealogy library, where her passion for family history helped countless families "connect the dots" and discover their roots. She began this work in the early 1970s and continued well into her later years. Arta also cherished her Welsh heritage and enjoyed documenting her own family history, taking genealogical trips, attending Gymanfa Ganu hymn festivals and sharing treasured stories from the past.

She loved horses, the mountains, classic country music, and Western movies-comforts that reminded her of her Utah home. She also never missed an episode of The Lawrence Welk Show on Saturday nights. After downsizing, Arta spent her final years living independently in a senior community in Strongsville, Ohio, where she often said she made some of the best friends of her life. A natural socialite, Arta had a gift for making friends wherever she went and was well known for her quick wit, sharp tongue, and sense of humor.

Arta will be deeply missed by her family, her church community, her dear friends, and the many people whose lives she touched with her warmth, dedication, and generosity.

Visitation to be held on Friday, December 5th, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Waite Funeral Home, 765 N Court Street, Medina, Ohio, 44256. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, December 6th, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4411 Windfall Rd, Medina, OH 44256. The family will receive visitors beginning at 10:00 a.m., with funeral services following at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will be provided immediately after the memorial conclusion. Internment to take place at Spanish Fork City Cemetery, in Utah.