Benedict “Ben” J. Balicki, 89, of Wood River, passed away Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, at Christian Northeast Hospital.
He was born June 17, 1926, in Detroit, Mich., the son to Benedict and Joanna (Jakobowski) Balicki.
Ben was a WWII U.S. Army Veteran. He worked for 36 years at Complete Auto Transit, retiring in 1987. He was life member and past Master of Wood River Masonic Lodge No. 1062.
On Nov. 28, 1945, he and Thelma Bomia were married in Monroe, Mich. She preceded him in death March 18, 2010.
He is survived by seven children, Larry Edward Balicki of Chino Hills, Calif., Barbara (Dennie) Hodge of Jerseyville, Judy Steed and Edward of Bethalto, Mark Balicki of King County, Wash., Stephen (Tina) Balicki of Wood River, Gregory Balicki of Alton and Benita Balicki of Wood River; eight grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Gertrude “Trudy” Barnett and Margaret Rose.
Memorial visitation will be 5 p.m. until time of Masonic Service at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, at Paynic Home for Funerals. Private burial will be at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the William M. BeDell Achievement Resource Center.
Online information and guestbook may be found at www.paynicfh.com.