Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2011, at the First Congregational Church, U.C.C. in Orchard with Pastor Jan Tjaden officiating. Interment will be at the Orchard Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.

Junior was born Sept. 22, 1927, on the family farm south of Orchard, Iowa, the son of Alfred Dennis and Almeda Marie (Baker) Balsley. Junior was baptized on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1931, at First Congregational Church, U.C.C. in Orchard by Pastor Read. He graduated from Orchard Consolidated School in 1945, where he played basketball. Junior married Sandra Hill in August 1950 in Osage. They lived on the home place where Junior farmed with his father. To this union, seven children were born. Junior also did custom farm work. He enjoyed fishing, camping and traveling with his Winnebago motor home. He loved all animals and especially enjoyed caring for his cattle.

Junior is survived by his children, Kent (Tari) Balsley of Nora Springs, Sandy Lang of Orchard, Brad (Jill) Balsley of Floyd, Jayne (Jeff) Olsen of Osage, Ginger (Brent) Hanson of Dike, Richard (Tess) Balsley of Ames; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four sisters, Marcella Serleth of Las Vegas, Nev., Mildred (Don) Whitcomb, Catherine Wigant, Barbara (Larry) Grinstead, all of Austin; several nieces and nephews and special friend, Shirley Teepe and her dog, Toby, of Orchard.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Merry Lynn; grandson, Blake Lang; two brothers-in-law, Ray Wigant and George Serleth. Information available and condolences accepted at www.champion-bucheitfuneralhome.com.