Gertrude Rose Balog

(nee, Getzlaff)

Hammond

Gertrude R. Balog, age 86, of Hammond, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.

She is survived by two children:

Michael (Marge) Balog of Munster,

Ilene (Mark) Eastwood of Hammond;

three grandchildren: Steven Balog, James M. Eastwood and William D. (Annie Gess, fiancée) Eastwood;

four great-grandchildren: Sunnie, Elijah, Emma and Ezekiel Eastwood;

several neices and nephews, and her beloved sister-in-law, Aranka Gawlinski.

Preceded in death by her husband, Steve Balog; parents, Rose and Oscar Getzlaff; brothers: Harry, William and Carl Getzlaff; and sisters: Elsie Stanley and Dorthea Carlson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. directly at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 6709 Arizona Ave, Hammond (Hessville) with Pastor James A. Thomson, officiating. Burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Hammond. Friends are invited to meet with the family on Friday, May 9, 2014 at Bocken Funeral Home, 7042 Kennedy Avenue, Hammond (Hessville) from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm. There will be a time of viewing at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 10:00 a.m.

Gertrude was born on August 23, 1927 and grew up on Chicago's East Side. In 1947, Gert married her sweetheart, Steve Balog. She worked as a deli clerk at Maruszczak's Sausage for over 25 years. Gert loved to fish with Steve, was an avid league bowler at Pin Bowl Lanes in Hessville, and a true Cubs and Bulls fan.

Gertrude will be missed by her family and all who knew her; especially her friends at Covenant Presbyterian Church. The family extends special thanks to Hospice of the Calumet Area. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting contributions be made to Hospice of the Calumet Area and the memorial fund at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 6709 Arizona Avenue, Hammond, IN 46323. For further information please call Bocken Funeral Home at 219-844-1600 or visit us at www.bockenfunerals.com.