Glenn S. Blatzley

Baltzley, Glenn Samuel, 92 died March 16, 2005. Service 1:00 P.M., Saturday, Mission Chapel Mausoleum. Mr. Baltzley was born December, 8 1912, in Des Moines, Iowa, the oldest of four boys and two girls. His journey through life was remarkable, characterized by curiosity, self-education and a deep devotion to family. At the age of nine his home was destroyed by a fire and his family moved into a tarpaper house. At eleven, he drove a model T Ford from Des Moines to St. Louis, sleeping one “free Night,” in a Macon, Missouri Jail. This was the beginning of his fiercely independent spirit, a spirit which accompanied him throughout his life. He was 12 when his mother died, 16 when his formal education ended, 17 when he bought his first car (Model A roadster), 18 when he delivered telegrams for Western Union (on a bicycle), 20 when he met the love of his life, Vada, and 22 when he married her in 1934. After working for a dairy, in oil refinery, an auto repair shop and a cracker company he and Vada move from Des Moines to Wichita in 1935. He established the G.S. Baltzley Real Estate and Insurance Company in 1950, and later formed a partnership with David Jones. In addition to rental houses and apartments, his company built hundreds of homes in the Wichita area, including the first large condominium in Wichita. In 1972, he retired to Kimberling City where he became involved in real estate, farming and raising buffalo. Mr. Baltzley remained active in Shriners Sunflower Lodge #86, Rosicrucians, The Chamber of Commerce and local Business while enjoying boating, fishing and skiing. He was one of the first to promote water skiing and taught all of his children, their friends and grandchildren to enjoy water sports. Mr. Baltzley is preceded in death by his wife Vada and his oldest daughter Penny Grimes. He is survived by two daughters; Glenda Pace and Tina Piearson; three son-in-laws; Dr. Robert Pace, Eddie Piearson, Dale Grimes; grandsons; Dr Lonny Pace, Glenn Hess and granddaughters Heather Stone, Heidi Jolliffe, Hayley Bieker. Memorials are to Assistance League Building Fund, P.O. Box 8072, Wichita, Kansas 67208.