Thomas Tom Balliew, age 69, of 204 Hillcrest Dr. Potter, died on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at his home following a heart attack. He was born on Dec. 30, 1941 in Georgia, son of the late William & Belle (Johnson) Balliew. He married June Kleppen on May 27, 1972 in Potter. Tom served in the U.S. Navy. He then worked as a supervisor at Mirro Corporation in Manitowoc until his retirement. After his retirement, he worked part time at Kaytee in Chilton and Econo Foods in Brillion. Tom loved to golf and helped coach the Hilbert High School Golf Team. He also loved to sing and play guitar and was a band member in the Voices of Peace Gospel Group, along with his close friends Bud and Carolyn Mc Atee. He helped establish the Voices of Peace Gospel Fest in Hilbert. Tom loved to hunt and fish with his son Scott, and visit with everybody. He treasured every moment he got to spend with his 5 month old grandson Dylan. He was a member of Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church in Potter. Survivors include his wife June, a son and daughter-in-law Scott and Kim Balliew of Hilbert, two daughters and two sons-in-law Anne and Alan Kubichka of Manitowoc, Patty and Tim Robley of Manitowoc, grandchildren Dylan, Rachel, Ryan, Rena, Kylie, and Jacy, three great-grandsons, a brother Woodrow Balliew of Georgia, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ronnie (Sally) Kleppen of Wausau, Dennis (Gail) Kleppen of Florida, Steve (Edie) Kleppen of Potter, Janine (Gary) Propson of Hilbert, Mike Kleppen of Potter, Jodi (Francis) Lenz of Potter, and many other relatives and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Larry, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Melvin and Gen Kleppen and a granddaughter Melinda. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 19 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Evangelical and Reformed Church in Potter. The Rev. Marc Axelrod will officiate. Burial will be in the Brillion Community Cemetery. Friends may call at the Wieting Funeral Home in Brillion on Monday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Online condolences may be made at www.wieting-funeralhome.com. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the Hilbert-Potter First Responders, especially Doug Schoen, for all their love and support.
