Betty L. Balzhiser

Betty Balzhiser (nee Meyer), 79, a devoted wife and mother, passed away on December 27, 2025. She was born to Edwin and Edna (nee Juergens) Meyer, spent her childhood in Tinley Park, and, then, three years after graduating from Bremen Community High School, she and her beloved husband, John Balzhiser, began their own family there. They spent 29 years in New Lenox, and she spent the last 2 years in Yorkville.

She is survived by three loving children: Deborah, John, and Robert; as well as by daughter-in-law, Michele (nee Meier); grandchildren, Daniel and Alex (nee West) and husband James Zachacki; great grandchildren, Eleanor Rakoski and Benjamin Jeslis; brother, Richard Meyer; sister-in-law, Kathleen Balzhiser; nieces, Tracy Simons (nee Meyer) and April Balzhiser and their families; aunt Lucille Topolski (nee Juergens); and numerous cousins and extended family members.

Betty dedicated her life to her husband and children. She selflessly supported their needs, goals, and interests. She instilled integrity, independence, and hard work. She was a bookkeeper and was later promoted to parts inspector and, then, supervisor at Illinois Tool Works. Her legacy, though, lives through her children.

Aside from keeping a house full of music, her personality shone through creative hobbies--landscaping, redecorating, remodeling, and flower gardening, each of which enhanced the home, as well as various crafts shared for school fundraisers and as labors of love for friends and family.

In addition to her parents and extended family members, she is predeceased by her industrious and inspirational husband of 58 years, John Balzhiser.

Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6850 West 159th Street, Tinley Park, IL 60477 on Saturday, January 3, 2025, from 9:30 AM until time of the funeral service at 11:00 AM.  Interment, Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery, Tinley Park IL. 

In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care https://lightways.org/make-a-donation/, Trinity Lutheran Church and school on 159th in Tinley Park, or a charity of your choice.