James David Balsley

James David Balsley, 65, of Westfield, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 20, 2016 after a three-year battle with esophageal cancer. He was born on August 25, 1951 to Richard and Margaret Kathryne (Carson) Balsley in Hartford City, Indiana.
Jim attended North Anderson Elementary, Central Junior High, and graduated from Anderson High School with the class of 1969. He has many fond memories of his school years and has recently greatly enjoyed reconnecting with many classmates. Jim attended GMI in Flint, MI, Tri State in Angola, and graduated from Ball State with a BS degree in 1974 and an MS in degree 1977. He married Janet Lee Crum on July 1, 1979 at Hopewell United Methodist Church in rural Frankfort; he was a member of Bethany Christian Church in Anderson and Noblesville First United Methodist Church. Jim taught in the Noblesville School system for 38 years, and coached varsity tennis for over 30 years. He also participated in Westfield Youth Sports for several years as a coach and a director. Family was very important to Jim, and he greatly enjoyed getting together with and talking with his extended family, including many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Jim is survived by his mother, Kathryne; his wife, Janet; two sons, Patrick Richard Balsley of Fishers, and Nicholas James Balsley of Noblesville; sister, Celia Ann Grise of Greensburg; sister-in-law, Jo Ann Balsley of Somerset, PA; nephew, Mikel (Katie) Balsley of Boswell, PA; nieces, Megan (Joshua) McKinley of Pittsburgh, PA, Laura (Jonas) Howell and Amy (Jacob) Haynes all of Columbus, IN, and Diane Grise of Mesa, AZ; uncle and aunt, James and Norma Carson of Columbus, IN; father-in-law, Richard R. Crum of Michigantown, IN; his in-laws, Rebecca and Robert Kruger of Downers Grove, IL; nephew, Christopher (Jennifer) Kruger of LaGrange Park, IL; and nieces, Angelee (David) Reiner of Los Angeles and Amanda (Mark) Lucke of Fishers, IN. Jim dearly loved his great nieces and nephews, Landon & Brooke McKinley, Scott James Balsley, Liam & Mason Howell, Abigail Haynes, CJ, Sasha, & Ali Kruger, Olivia, Grace, & Emilia Reiner, and Henry & Grant Lucke.
He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Lewis Balsley; two brothers, Richard Scott and Rex Lewis; brother-in-law, Kenneth Grise; grandparents, Winfield Scott and Margaret Balsley, and Dorance & Esther Carson; and mother-in-law, Doris Ellen Crum.
Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, November 25, 2016 at Randall & Roberts Funeral Center, 1685 Westfield Road, in Noblesville. Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at the funeral home, with Pastor Kent Stookey officiating. Graveside services will follow at 1:30 pm at Hopewell Cemetery, 3460 E 500 N, in Frankfort, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to Burnsville Christian Church, 2891 S 900 E, Columbus, IN 47203; or Hopewell Cemetery Association, c/o Lee Paris, 2566 E County Road 600 N, Frankfort, IN 46041.