Charles W. Ballein
U.S. Navy veteran
Charles “Chas” W. Ballein, 84, died November 15, 2013, in Washington Hospital.
He was born in Somerset Township May 4, 1929, to the late Addison and Hazel Keenan Ballein.
Mr. Ballein attended Union Independent Grade School and was a 1946 graduate of Trinity High School.
He was a 66-year member of Operating Engineers of Pittsburgh Local 66. He worked as a heavy equipment operator from 1947 until his retirement in 1997, with the exception of the years he served in the U.S. Naval Amphibious Construction Battalion No. 2 (SeaBees), during the Korean conflict. In those years, he saw service in Greenland and the Caribbean area as a bulldozer operator.
Following his discharge from the military, in addition to being employed on many construction projects, he operated a farm in the Bentleyville area until he ceased that line of endeavor in the 1970s, with the explanation that “there had to be an easier way to lose money than by farming.”
Known for his collecting of and for his extensive knowledge of antique equipment and machinery, which he shared with his friends, he also had a great love of dogs, especially Weimaraners, which were his constant companions. He, along with his wife, Laura, was very involved with the rescue and placement of the breed.
Mr. Ballein also brought pedal-power tractor pulls for children to Southwestern Pennsylvania in the 1980s.
He was a member of Davidson Methodist Church, the National Pike Steam, Gas and Horse Association, Historical Construction Equipment Association, the former American Legion Post 897 of Glyde, SeaBee Veterans of America Post X3 of Pittsburgh and National Rifle Association.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, Laura, are sons, Charles of Greensburg, Fred and his wife, Geri, of Bentleyville and John and his wife, Stephanie, of Blacksburg, Va.; stepchildren Tina Zediker and her husband, William, of Bentleyville, Chris Watson and his wife, Jamie, Randy Watson and his wife, Chrissy, and Chad Watson and his wife, Mandy, all of Scenery Hill; a sister, June Sacco of Bel Air, Md.; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, is a daughter, Barbara Gatten; and brother-in-law, William Sacco.
Acting on the wishes of the deceased, there will be no viewing, and a private entombment will take place in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. However, the family invites all of his friends and anyone who knew him to an informal gathering from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, November 22, in the Bentleyville Volunteer Fire Department social hall for a celebration of his life and an exchange of memories between people who knew him.
The deceased expressed a wish that anyone desiring to make a memorial contribution should do so to Fayette Friends of Animals (No Kill), P.O. Box 1282, Uniontown, PA 15401, 724-245-7815.
A guest book and personal condolences may be accessed at www.GreenleeFuneralHome.com.