Jerry L. Balsman

Jerry L. Balsman, 76, of Jackson, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Born on December 20, 1949, in Chester, Illinois, to Cletus and Elinor Winschel Balsman, he graduated from Berkeley High School in St. Louis and attended Missouri State University in Springfield. He and Diana Wibbenmeyer were married on May 7, 1977, at St. Vincent Catholic Church in Perryville.

Jerry worked as a sales representative for many years with Safety Kleen in Cape Girardeau and Glazer’s in Scott City, and later as a delivery driver for Winnelson in Cape Girardeau. A longtime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and the Bishop Timon Knights of Columbus in Jackson, he placed his family above all else. He took special joy in attending his grandchildren’s ball games and special events, and he enjoyed fishing, camping, bike riding, and following sports, particularly the Jackson Indians and the St. Louis Cardinals.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Diana Balsman of Jackson; sons Jeremy (Erica) Balsman of Arnold, Missouri, and Brent (Allison) Balsman of Jackson; eight grandchildren, Paige, Brooke, Lydia, Madilyn, Gwen, Eden, Cora, and Emmett; his sister Betty Jean Adams of Naples, Florida; his brother Larry (late Faye) Balsman of St. Louis; and several nieces and nephews. Diana’s surviving family includes her siblings Doris (Jim) Rehkop of Perryville, Missouri, Larry (Victoria) Wibbenmeyer of Ste. Genevieve, Linda Wibbenmeyer of Perryville, Jane (late Etson) Steele of Cape Girardeau, and Faye (Steve) Bohnert of Perryville; a brother-in-law, Gary (late Sharon) West of Cape Girardeau; and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Glenda Huggins, and on Diana’s side by her parents Anton and Merle Emmendorfer Wibbenmeyer and siblings Sharon West and Wayne Wibbenmeyer.