BERTHA A. BALSMAN

PERRYVILLE -- Bertha A. Balsman, 85, of Perryville died Friday, Aug. 22, 1997, at the Perry County Nursing Home.

She was born Jan. 19, 1912, in Perry County, daughter of Ignatius and Barbara Ponder Trapp. She married John Balsman on Nov. 10, 1931. He died Oct. 18, 1966.

She was a homemaker and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She also served in the St. Joseph Ladies Organization in Apple Creek and was a former member of Post 133 American Legion Booster Club and Post 4282 VFW Auxiliary.

Survivors include two sons, Herman Balsman of Biehle and Fred Balsman of St. Louis; two daughters, Dorothy Wingerter and Ida Buerck, both of Biehle; a sister, Lillian Klingert of Ellisville; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four infant children, six brothers, four sisters, a grandson and two great-grandchildren.

Friends may call today from 4 to 9 p.m. and Monday from 6:30 to 9:20 a.m. at Young & Sons Funeral Home. Parish wake service will be conducted tonight at 7.

A funeral Mass will take place Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with the Rev. Terry Borgerding officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.