Joseph "Tata" Bal

April 9, 1930 - March 26, 2020

NORWAY – Joseph W. “Tata” Bal age 89, of Norway, died Thursday, March 26, 2020 at ManorCare Health Services in Kingsford, MI. He was born April 9, 1930 in Norway, the son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Smith) Bal. Tata graduated from Norway High School in 1949. He served this country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict until 1953. He married Marjorie Bellin on June 6, 1964, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norway. Tata started an apprenticeship as a machinist for Kearney and Trecker Corporation in Milwaukee in 1956 till 1961, at that time he joined his brother George to open up Bal’s Standard in the fall of 1961, on the corner of Main St. and US Hwy 2 in Norway. He left the station in September of 1963 to become a machinist at Lake Shore, Inc. of Kingsford till its closure in 1989. He went on to work with Local Pipefitters Union 711 on the Quinnesec Mill 41 project, delivering flowers for Ron Milbrath at Danielson’s Greenhouse, cutting grass at the Oak Crest Golf Course, working with his nephew Zeke and Zanona Construction, before retiring. After retirement, he became caretaker of the baseball fields at Marion Park, for 13 years. Tata was a member of St. Mary’s Church, an active member of the Hall-DeWinter Post #145 American Legion, lifetime member of the Norvulet Post #4581, VFW and a retired member of the Norway Volunteer Fire Department. He loved hunting, woodworking, cutting grass and watching his grandkids play Little League, High School Baseball and Softball, Football, Basketball and also going to his camp, “The Bullylads” Tata is survived by his children; sons James (Michelle) Bal of Norway, Jeffery (Marlo) Bal of Vulcan, Jerry (Amy) Bal of Norway; daughter Julie (Mike) DeWitt of Nerstrand, MN; grandchildren Jessica Bal of Kingsford, Jerod Bal, Justin Bal and Jaclyn Bal of Norway; Jalen Bal of Vulcan, Jacey Bal of Syracuse, NY, Allan Bal of Fort Hood, TX, US Army, Jenna Bal and Jack Bal of Norway, Jacob DeWitt and James DeWitt of Nerstrand, MN; great grandchildren Jordan Perry, Journey Chartier, Jace Bonneau and Lorelye Bal; sisters Marie Devine of Norway, Patsy (Bill) Zanona of Vulcan and Marge (Lee) Meneghini of Norway; brother George (Betty) Bal of Norway; sisters-in-law Bernice Bal of Norway, Joan Bal of Austin TX, Marie Bal of Norway, and Karen (Gordan) Trieber of Norway; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years Marjorie; brothers Jim, John, Edward and Wally Bal; his brothers-in-law Robert Devine, Jerry, Jimmy, and Donnie Bellin; sisters-in-law Charlene Wenzel and Shirley Bellin. Family will greet friends on Friday, July 3 from 9-11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Norway. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church with Fr. Timothy Ekaitis officiating. Interment will follow at the Norway Township Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at Marion Park Pavilion.