RUSSELL — James Michael “Jim” Balthazor, 69, of Russell, Kan., died on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell, Kan.
Jim was born on Sept. 06, 1951, in Concordia, Kan., the son of Armand and Helen (Appleby) Balthazor. He grew up in Concordia, Kan., and graduated from Notre Dame High School in the class of 1969. After high school, he received his teaching degree from Fort Hays State University in 1977, majoring in vocal music, science and elementary education. He met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Lucinda Mae “Cindy” Spatz on Aug. 18, 1974, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Beloit, Kan. From this union Jim and Cindy were blessed with two children, Kirk and Teryn. Jim started his teaching career in LaCrosse, Kan., in 1977. In 1978, he moved to Russell, Kan. and took a vocal music teaching position at USD #407. Later in his teaching career he taught Science and developed the Peggy Taylor Owls Project and Science Olympiad. He retired from USD #407 in 2012 and continued his career teaching science, Science Olympiad, and monarch music at Thomas Moore Prep in Hays, Kan. He spent many years directing and helping with musicals at RHS and TMP. He was a longtime member of St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell where he cantored and played with the ministry group Revelations. He enjoyed music, rock hunting, metal detecting and spending time at the lake boating with friends and family. Most of all he enjoyed life, spending time with his family, and he especially enjoyed playing with his grandchildren.
Surviving family includes his wife of 46 years Cindy of the home; daughter Teryn Yarmer (Neil) of Russell, Kan.; three brothers Fred Balthazor (Theresa Kueter), Greg Balthazor (Lisa) and Pat Balthazor (Jamie); two sisters Cindy Cleveland (Mike) and Christine Sevigny; four grandchildren Chase Alan Yarmer, Aiden Matthew Yarmer, Brynley Grace Yarmer and Koda James Yarmer; sister in-law Sheila K. Hein and nephew Shawn Hein (Jenny); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Kirk Matthew Balthazor on Aug. 05, 2000; brother in-law Don Hein; and nephews Doug Hein and Benjamin Cleveland.
A funeral mass to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 02, 2020, at the St. Mary Queen of Angel Catholic Church in Russell. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 01, 2020, at the mortuary in Russell. A vigil and rosary will be held at the church at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening, Oct. 01, 2020. In lieu of flowers, please give to the James Balthazor Memorial Fund and send in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Funeral arrangments provided by
Pohlman ~ Varner ~ Peeler Mortuary
610 N. Maple
Russell, KS 67665
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 30, 2020
