CHARLOTTE, N.C. — BALTZER – Margaret Mary, Charlotte, N.C., formerly of Westover, died Dec. 8, 2012, at Presbyterian Hospital-Main in Charlotte following a short illness. She was 80 years old having devoted most of those years to the life she shared with her husband, Charles. Born Oct. 14, 1932, and raised on a farm in Westover. Preceded in death by parents, John Elden and Genevieve Sylvia (Semelsburger) Johnston. In addition to her husband, Charles, Mrs. Baltzer is survived by sister, LaVonne Young; and nephew, Brad Young, both of Williamsport; and niece, Sandra Reese, Lock Haven. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a degree in business, but a diploma wasn’t the best thing she took from college. The Baltzers met at IUP, introduced by a fraternity brother of his. Their first date was a drive in the country. Love bloomed. The college sweethearts were married Aug. 29, 1953. Eight years later, the Celanese Corp. transferred Mr. Baltzer to Charlotte, where he worked in accounting and they happily put down roots. Mrs. Baltzer spent 37 years as well with Celanese (later Hoechst/Celanese) before retiring in 1996 as an executive administrative assistant. The Baltzers loved their church, Myers Park United Methodist; going to the beach and the theater; grilling steaks; and admiring the azaleas and other flowers that she planted at their home. Most of all, they loved each other. Even though Alzheimer’s made it harder for them to communicate, it couldn’t keep them apart. Mrs. Baltzer lived the past 15 months at Stewart Health Center at Cypress of Charlotte. Each day, Mr. Baltzer would drive from the family home in Ballantyne to spend the afternoon with her. At 5:30, they’d go into the dining room for supper. They had a table for two, where they’d share a meal and what conversation they could. At the end, Mr. Baltzer says, this was the highlight of their lives together. It was Mrs. Baltzer’s mother who taught her how to cook, a skill that served her (and her husband!) well. Mr. Baltzer says his wife baked a mean apple pie and made spaghetti sauce that was out of this world. “The all-day kind,” he says, boasting just a bit. Funeral service will be held Wednesday in Charlotte. Committal service will be at noon Friday at East Ridge Cemetery, near where she grew up. Family and friends will be received from 11:30 a.m. until time of service at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her honor can be made to Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28207. Mr. Baltzer looks back with the deepest gratitude on his life with Mrs. Baltzer. While Alzheimer’s took so much away, it couldn’t take away the fact that he believes she recognized him until the end. He could tell from her body language and the look in her eyes.
Obituaries
- Obituaries
-
- District Deaths May 19, 2013
-
Matthew P. Adams
ADAMS – Matthew P., 20, New Holland, Pa., died unexpectedly Thursday, May 16, 2013, at Ephrata Community Hospital.
-
Charles E. Block Sr.
BLOCK – Charles E. Sr., 75, Blacklick Township, died Friday, May 17, 2013, at his residence.
-
Agnes (Popovich) Cardone
CARDONE – Agnes (Popovich) 88, Palmdale, Calif., formerly of Windber, passed away May 15, 2013.
-
Carmel C. Coco
COCO – Carmel C., 95, died peacefully at home May 18, 2013.
-
Anna Mae Kopsic
KOPSIC – Anna Mae, 86, Presbyterian Home, Johnstown, formerly of Nanty Glo, passed away May 18, 2013, at Memorial Medical Center.
-
Frank J. Szymusiak
SZYMUSIAK – Frank J., 97, Nanty Glo, passed away May 17, 2013, at Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown.
-
Helen M. (Til) Gembinski
GEMBINSKI – Helen M. (Til), 88, Richland, a longtime resident of Lorain Borough, passed away May 17, 2013, at home.
-
Gladys I. Wiesinger
WIESINGER – Gladys I., 97, Lower Yoder Township, went to be with her Heavenly Father May 13, 2013.
-
Glenn W. Wirick
WIRICK – Glenn W., 67, Ebensburg and Dumfries, Va., died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Sentara Potomac Hospital of Woodbridge.
-
Jean (Gibson-Lavely) Yuhas
YUHAS (GIBSON-LAVELY) – Jean, 82, Lower Yoder, died May 18, 2013, at Memorial Medical Center.
- Today's Funeral May 19, 2013
- District Deaths May 18, 2013
-
Melody Ann Black
BLACK – Melody Ann, 55, Johnstown, passed away May 17, 2013, at Memorial Medical Center.
-
Gloria Charney
CHARNEY – Gloria, the former Gloria Burskey, 64, Carrolltown, passed away May 15, 2013, at Memorial Medical Center.
-
Jacqueline (Winning) Griffith
GRIFFITH – Jacqueline “Jacquie” (Winning), 51, Ebensburg, passed away suddenly May 16, 2013, at Memorial Medical Center.
-
Esther L. (Weaver) Hyde
HYDE – Esther L. (Weaver), 91, Lawrence Park, Pa., passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Forestview Healthcare Center, Erie.
-
Richard Miller McQuade
McQUADE – Richard Miller, 94, Stoystown, died May 15, 2013 at Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown.
-
Elmer L. Piper Sr.
PIPER – Elmer L. Sr., 75, Johnstown, died May 16, 2013, at Good Sam Nursing Care Center.
-
William W. Resick
RESICK – William W., 70, Altoona, died Thursday, May 16, 2013, at his residence following an extended illness.
-
Joseph W. Robey Jr.
ROBEY – Joseph W. Jr., 83, New Florence, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2013.
-
William Sekerak
SEKERAK – William “Pap,” 86, Johnstown, passed away May 16, 2013, at Memorial Medical Center.
- More Obituaries Headlines
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
