Archie LeRoy Balch, Jr.

Archie LeRoy Balch, Jr., 83, passed away Sunday, February 28th in Rio Grande Regional Hospital, McAllen, Texas after a short illness. Archie was born October 7, 1926, the son of Archie LeRoy Sr. and Ethel (Jacox) Balch, He graduated Rochelle Community High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Korea during the Korean War. On November 30, 1950, he married Winifred Spratt of Chana at the Chana United Methodist Church where they were life-long members. Archie farmed in the Mt. Morris and Ashton areas. He retired from the Ashton School District in 1988. Upon retiring Archie and Winnie enjoyed spending their winters in Texas. Archie served on the Ashton School Board, Lafayette Township Board, Ashton & Donna, TX Lions Clubs, Ogle County Farm Bureau, and was a member of the Oregon VFW. Archie was also the chairman of the Ashton Farm Toy Show for 20 years promoting his favorite hobby of collecting farm toy tractors. Archie was known as Tractor Papa to his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as he always had a tractor for them to play with. Archie was also known to many children and adults in the area as Santa, a role he thoroughly enjoyed playing. He is survived by his wife Winifred (Spratt) Balch of 59 years; two sons: David (Marilyn) Balch and Tom (Lou Ann) Balch, both of Ashton; three daughters: Bernita (Jim) Jones of Ashton; Debbora (Randy) Bulthaus of Chana; and Dianna (Jerry) Kristan of Clive, Iowa; Twelve grandchildren: Tina (Brian) Ketter; Brian (Krissy) Balch; Shannon Jones; Anna (Curt) Hussung; Willie Bulthaus; Carla (fiancé Mark Hill) Bulthaus; Nick (fiancé Georgia McCormick) Kristan; Kari Kristan; Brett Balch; Ashley Balch; Stephanie (Justin) Munroe and Jenny (Matt) Magnafici and eleven great-grandchildren; a sister Louise Kurz of Lindenwood; sister-in-laws Marie Balch of Kirkland; Cordelia (Jack) Heng of Oregon and brother-in-law Bob (Joanne) Spratt of Oregon. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dale. Visitation will be held at Coulon Lyons Funeral Home 815-453-2441 in Ashton on Friday, March 5th from 4-7 p.m. and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral service. Funeral will be at the Chana United Methodist Church, Chana on Saturday, March 6th at 10:30 a.m. with burial to follow at the Ashton Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Chana United Methodist Church.