My Brother was the 3rd child of 13 children of Harold and Sara Balzer. He was born on Sept 14. He was the first son of 4 born. The rest of us were girl's.

Eddie was a great boy and then a great man. He went to work at a young age and he helped our parent's. Dad worked at a G.M. factory. But there was a lot of us so Eddie helped along with our oldest sister.

Eddie married at 18 yrs old but it didn't work out. It was when the Vietnam War was going on. Eddie enlisted in the Army. The same day he came home he had his draft papers. I still remember that day. I was at my oldest sister's house and he would not let anyone tell me...he had to. Boy did I cry. I was 13 yrs old and he was my best brother.

My poor mom was so scared! He was in the 82nd Airborne. He did his time in Vietnam and came home safe. That was in 1967 or 1968. He married his 2nd wife Donna in May of 1983. They had two kids, Eddie and Kelli.

But 29 yrs later it comes back to haunt us. Eddie got cancer. It was proven that it was from the agent orange. In March of 1997 was when we found out he had lung (Pancoast) Cancer. We found out too late. It is was a rare kind. He went though treament to shrink the tumor. In May they took it out. Dr told us it was in the last stage, but he got it all.

He did pretty well after that. In Sept of that year we had a surpise Birthday party for him. BOY was he happy. WE all were. Little did we know that it would come back with such Force. And little did we know that would be his last party. In March 98 he started to lose blood. The doctor said it was from the treatment he had months before. They had to give him blood 3 or 4 times. BOY he hated needles. I was always there too.

They found something on his kidney, but the doctor said it was not cancer. He wanted to give him chemo again. We were dumb. We didn't ask. He became very sick He lost all his hair and didn't eat. I used to make him chicken noodle soup. It was all he could keep down.

On June 6 my son Shawn was married. Eddie told him he would not be there the 5th was his last treatment... he would be too sick. My son's wife to be (Shanna) was looking out over the church and started to cry!! She said Mom come here. I asked her "why are you crying?" She said "LOOK"!!!!! It was my little peach (Eddie). He lasted the whole night. They had a dance for the parents and Grandparents with the Bride And Groom. And yes, Eddie had to dance with mom. He looked at me and said "how did I get in this, I'm not the Grandpa" and laughed. I told him you are the oldest son, it's your job. We all cryed when he took mom in his arm's.. We have a picture of him and that dance . He was looking up as if he was telling God Thank's.That was his last dance ever.I'm glad it was with our Mom. She holds that very close in her heart...

In Aug 27th he got sick again The doctor still did not tell us it was back. Matter of fact on July 28th he gave him an all clear sign. It was our oldest sister's Birthday. He went to her and cryed tears of joy!!!

September 5th they told us Eddie was going to heaven. He had 6 months. I know you all are wondering why I call him my little peach? I use to rub his feet with peach lotion. We brought him home the night of the 8th. We all stayed with him... some would go home at night but I stayed.. He was so brave he didn't show us fear. He never cryed for himself but he did for his family. He said he didn't want his family to hurt any more.We made a promise that no matter what we would be together in life and death. My Birthday was the 11th. Hospice gave him pain meds. Iknew it would be very soon. He was in and out of it. He went down hill fast. I ask him for my present. All I want is for you to go to Dad. He said yes. Well I layed down at 3:15 am...me on one end of the couch and my husband on the other.

At 4:40 am the 12th of September my brother got his wings.

I have to say Thank you to my husband and my oldest sisters son Warren. They stayed with him the whole time too. My husband woke up Eddie's wife Donna. She is his little sister too. We called our family's and hospice. Before they took him from his home I gave him one last foot rub. It took me over an hour... it had to last till I go to heaven.

On his 49th Birthday we got to see him. As my sis and I cryed and kissed him ..he kept that promise We SMELLED THE PEACHES.. i know it was him telling me he was OK. I have smelled them 2 times after that in my home. He was and always will be My Hero... MY Little Peach.

I LOVE YOU {{{{{{{EDDIE}}}}}}}}

May Peace and Love Be With Us Always

Your Lill Sis Vicki