FOURTH GENERATION

172. Merton W BALK was born 1924.

He was married to Neoma BECKER (daughter of Henry BECKER and Lydia WAGNER) 1947 in Illinois.

The (Paxton) Record, June 11, 1997, p.3

Balks celebrate their golden anniversary

Buckley - Mr. and Mrs. Merton Balk celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 7, at Buckley Lake, with their family and close friends. Those in attendance were from Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, Leroy, Normal, Urbana, Champaign, Frankfort, Clifton, Milford, Watseka, Paxton, Loda and Buckley.
Merton Balk and Neoma Becker were married XXXXXX 1947, at St. John's Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Golterman officiating.
Mr. and Mrs. Balk have lived in the area all of their married life, engaging in farming and homemaking. They retired from farming in 1995.
They have three children -- Jim (Donna) Balk, Jean (Butch) Cook and Steve (Bonnie) Balk, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Neoma BECKER was born 1928. Merton W BALK and Neoma BECKER had the following children:

+460 i. James Allen BALK.
+461 ii. Jean Diane BALK.
+462 iii. Steven Ray BALK.