Larry A. Baltzell

Celina

Larry A. Baltzell, 57, formerly of Rockford, died Aug. 17, 2008, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 23, 1950, in Celina to Fred A. and Martha J. Robbins Baltzell. His father preceded him in death. His mother survives in Rockford. On June 7, 1970, he married Sheila Wood, who survives.

Mr. Baltzell co-owned the Rockford Press for 10 years and had retired as a project engineer from Findlay Industries. He was a life member of Rockford Presbyterian Church, Rockford. He had coached Little League for nine years and served on the Rockford Village Council for two years. He had been a volunteer with the Rockford Fire Department, where he had been a firefighter, assistant fire chief and arson investigator. He had trained and raced harness horses and had been a member of the Harley-Davidson Owners Group. He was never at a loss for words and those who knew him will remember his quick wit, his sense of humor and his love for NASCAR and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He had a great love for his entire family, but his wife was the love of his life.

He had courageously fought Erdheim-Chester Disease for more than 20 years. This rare organ disorder is a histiocytic bone disease and he was the longest living patient. Only 158 cases have ever been diagnosed worldwide since 1928.

Survivors also include three sons, Christopher (Leslie) Baltzell, of Celina, Scott (Carianne) Baltzell, of Mansfield, and Dr. Thomas (Dr. Ann) Baltzell, of Columbus; three grandchildren, Joey and Dylan Baltzell, of Celina, and Alexander Baltzell, of Mansfield, and twin boys due in October; a brother, Todd (Karla) Baltzell, of Rockford; three sisters, Connie (Denny) Hamrick, Laura (Mark) Burger and Amy (Tom) Lyons, all of Rockford; his mother-in-law, Virginia Wood, of Celina, two sisters-in-law, Holly (Paul) Pabis, of Rehoboth, Mass., and Colleen (Wally) O'Steen, of Huntsville, Ala.; and several loving nieces and nephews and wonderful friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Floyd and Mabel Wurster Baltzell, George and Bessie Morrison Kinder Jr. and Domer "Cherry" Robbins.

Services will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at Rockford Presbyterian Church, Rockford. Pastors Karen Long and Richard S. Hays will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. today at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford, and one hour prior to services Thursday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to State of the Heart Hospice, Rockford Recreation Association or the Leota Braun Foundation.

He had a special place in his heart for his physicians, whom the family would like to thank, Dr. Jerry Sell and Dr. William Marlarkey, his caregivers, registered nurse Jessica Sheets and home health aide Dawn Loy from State of the Heart Hospice.

Condolences may be sent to ketchamripleyfh@embarqmail.com.