John Balale, 85 CAMPBELL - Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, with Father Steve Denas officiating for John Balale, 85, who passed away Wednesday. John was born Aug. 4, 1929, in Campbell, the son of Emmanuel and Emelia Sevastou Balale. He was a graduate of Campbell Memorial High School. Upon graduation, John served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1951. He retired from General Motors in 1986 after many years of service. John was a member of the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church and the American Legion VFW Post 560. As a young boy living through the post-depression era, John's independence to earn money for his family was instilled in him from his immigrant parents, who arrived from Ellis Island to start a new life. It all began with a shoebox and hopping a train, at the age of 8, to downtown Youngstown. There he earned his first nickel shining shoes and cleaning and blocking ladies and men's hats. In 1946, as a young teen, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his service, John was stationed in Hawaii, Japan, and in the waters during the Korean War. After serving his country overseas, John returned and began his civilian career building the US fighter plane, F-106 Delta Dart. John had a love of music and dance, as he was one of the first dance instructors at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, which continued throughout his life. His passion for dance led him to meet the love of his life, Katie, where their romance of 45 years began. Their inseparable bond and love for each other was admired and recognized by all who knew them. He will be remembered for being a man of integrity and honesty. Those who knew John will always remember his kindness, warm heart and endless love he had for his children and grandchildren. He leaves to cherish his memories, his daughter, Angela (Eric) Ritz of Boardman; two sons, Marc Balale of Campbell and Michael (Cristin) Balale of Little Rock, Arkansas; seven grandchildren, John, Jonathon, Erick, Kathrin, Krista, Angelina, and Mihali Jr.; and his sister-in-law, Stella Balale, of Mentor. John's wife, Kathleen, whom he married Feb. 16, 1969, and who passed away July 11, 2014. Besides his wife Kathleen, John was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Zenovia, Antoinette and Mary; and his brother, Michael. The Balale family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home and will receive family and friends Monday evening at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. and again on Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at the Church.