ELWOOD – Gary D. Balser, 44, Syracuse, and formerly of Elwood, passed away unexpectedly April 22, 2015, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, as a result of multiple health issues, including diabetes. He was born Sept. 17, 1970, in Kokomo, to Garl D. Balser and Gilda E. Rich Scott. In 1998 he married Christina Evans, who survives in Syracuse. He was a golf course manager at Little Big Horn Golf Club and various other golf courses before his disability in June 2014. He attended Elwood Schools for many years, and was a 1989 graduate of Tri-Central High School. He later received an associate’s degree in criminology from Vincennes University. He enjoyed playing golf, boating, snowmobiling and working in farming. He loved his family very much, and he will be greatly missed. Also surviving are his family, which includes his mother, Gilda E. Rich Scott, Muncie; his father, Garl D. (and spouse Julie) Balser, Kokomo; three children: Garrett E. Balser, Pierceton; Gracen M. Balser, Syracuse; and Phillip Snodgress, Fort Wayne; two sisters, Donita (and spouse Kenny) Conyers, Muncie, and Rustee Scott (and companion Joe Gutierrez); two brothers, Jim Scott, Fishers, and Dean Balser, Swayzee; special brother, Larry Beard, Fishers; his best friend, Bobby Bosstick, Syracuse; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Bennie Scott, who died in 2005; and his grandparents, Robert and Melba Alder, Jim and Nellie Melson and Don and Joan Rich. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home, Elwood, with Rich Leavell officiating. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to the Diabetes Foundation or Fresenius Dialysis Center in Warsaw through the funeral home. Condolences may be sent via www.copherfeslermay.com
