Barbara J. Balka, 66, Jasper

Barbara J. Balka, 66, of Jasper, passed away at 7:08 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, at Northwood Retirement Community in Jasper.

Barbara was born in Evansville on September 5, 1952, to Don and Norma Jean (Clayton) Bruce. She married Dan Balka on August 3, 1974, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Evansville.

She retired as a director of Planned Giving at the St. Meinrad Arch Abbey and previously worked as a probation officer in Dubois County. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper where she was a member of their first CRHP group and served as a Eucharistic minister and a reader. She enjoyed sewing, reading, Boston Terriers, exercising,  and spending time with friends and family. 

She is survived by her husband, Dan Balka of Jasper; three sons, Mike Balka (Jeni) of Greencastle, Eric Balka (Abby) of Indianapolis and Jeff Balka of New York City; two grandchildren, Emma and Dylan Balka; parents, Don and Norma Jean Bruce of Evansville; three sisters, Sandy Wilson (John) of St. Meinrad, Patti McBride of Evansville and Lisa Monk (Gaylan) of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; one brother, Steve Bruce (Jodi) of Evansville.

Preceding her in death were her grandparents.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Barbara J. Balka will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Jasper with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery in Jasper.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at the Becher-Kluesner Downtown Chapel in Jasper and from 9:00 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m. service time at the church on Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Meinrad Arch Abbey.

Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com.