1922
Lt.
2010
Lt. Balega
April 22, 1922 — December 29, 2010
Lt. Col. John L. "Jack" Balega, USAF (Ret.) died Wednesday, December 29 at Emmanuel Nursing Home after a long battle involving several health issues. He was 88 year of age. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 5 at David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, Reverend Wade Dutton, officiating. Interment with full military honors will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Friends may call at the church 1 hour prior to the service on Wednesday. John Lewis "Jack" Balega was born April 22, 1922 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania to Peter and Mary (Robatin) Balega. He was raised and educated in Shamokin graduating from Shamokin High School in 1940. Jack was united in marriage to A. Ruth Maddox, November 7, 1952 in Ft. Worth, TX.
In his years of service with the United States military, first in the Army Air Corps and then with the Air Force, he served two tours of duty during WWII. He flew 95 fighter combat missions with the 79th Fighter Group in the Desert Air Force, later the 12th Air Force, where he was credited with having personally sunk the aircraft carrier Aquila, June 16, 1944 in Genoa Harbor. He further served as a test pilot and later performed another tour of duty during the Viet Nam War. Immediately after WWII, Jack returned to Penn State University where he studied Electrical Engineering and graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1948. He was then employed by Douglas Aircraft Co. before returning to active duty. While in the Air Force, he flew many types of aircraft including propeller and jet fighters, bombers and tankers. His service brought him to the Grand Forks (ND) Air Force Base in 1961 which then introduced him and his family to the Detroit Lakes area. Throughout his service, Jack would return to the Detroit Lakes region while on leave. He and Ruth retired in this area in 1992.
John L. Balega was a decorated veteran and aircraft commander. He loved the outdoors and to hunt and fish. Jack is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruth, of Detroit Lakes, sons: Peter and his wife Tina of Detroit Lakes, Paul of Detroit Lakes, a daughter, Patricia Bailey of Barnesville, MN; 4 grandchildren: Kimberly Balega, Christina Balega, Jaclyn Balega and Brian Joseph Bransom. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother: Edward and a sister, Betty de Gamez.
Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Service
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Friends may call at the church 1 hour prior to the service on Wednesday. John Lewis "Jack" Balega was born April 22, 1922 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania to Peter and Mary (Robatin) Balega. He was raised and educated in Shamokin graduating from Shamokin High School in 1940. Jack was united in marriage to A. Ruth Maddox, November 7, 1952 in Ft. Worth, TX.
In his years of service with the United States military, first in the Army Air Corps and then with the Air Force, he served two tours of duty during WWII. He flew 95 fighter combat missions with the 79th Fighter Group in the Desert Air Force, later the 12th Air Force, where he was credited with having personally sunk the aircraft carrier Aquila, June 16, 1944 in Genoa Harbor. He further served as a test pilot and later performed another tour of duty during the Viet Nam War. Immediately after WWII, Jack returned to Penn State University where he studied Electrical Engineering and graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1948. He was then employed by Douglas Aircraft Co. before returning to active duty. While in the Air Force, he flew many types of aircraft including propeller and jet fighters, bombers and tankers. His service brought him to the Grand Forks (ND) Air Force Base in 1961 which then introduced him and his family to the Detroit Lakes area. Throughout his service, Jack would return to the Detroit Lakes region while on leave. He and Ruth retired in this area in 1992.
John L. Balega was a decorated veteran and aircraft commander. He loved the outdoors and to hunt and fish. Jack is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruth, of Detroit Lakes, sons: Peter and his wife Tina of Detroit Lakes, Paul of Detroit Lakes, a daughter, Patricia Bailey of Barnesville, MN; 4 grandchildren: Kimberly Balega, Christina Balega, Jaclyn Balega and Brian Joseph Bransom. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother: Edward and a sister, Betty de Gamez.
Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501
Previous Events
VisitationTuesday, January 5, 2010
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
David-Donehower Funeral Home
609 Hwy 10 East
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
11:00 AM
David-Donehower Funeral Home
609 Hwy 10 East
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lt. Balega, please visit our flower store.