Loran Lincoln Balch, 75

| July 17, 2007 9:00 PM

Loran Lincoln Balch, 75, passed away on Saturday, July 7, 2007, at his home in Sagle, Idaho. In memory of Loran, there will be a gathering held at the Sagle Senior Center on Monarch Road in Sagle, Idaho, on Saturday, July 21, 2007, at 1 p.m. Loran was born on April 22, 1932, at home in Spokane, Wash., to John Lewis (Jack) and Mabel (Orlph) Balch. Loran was raised in Spokane, Wash., until he was 14, the moved to Sandpoint with his family. He worked on and off in his father's mill (Balch Lumber Mill) through high school. He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1950.He then married Patsy A. Johnson. They had six children together and later divorced in 1980. Loran served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956, he was stationed at Illinois, Greenland and California during this time. He worked at Sandpoint Motors for 27 years, he left to take early retirement. Loran married Ethel Perry on Jan. 30, 1982, in Sagle and celebrated their 25th anniversary in January 2007. He loved hunting, fishing and being outdoors, he also enjoyed family gatherings, playing horse shoes collecting antique model cars and having lunch out with his wife.He is survived by his wife, Ethel Balch of Sandpoint, Idaho; two daughters, Anna Lynn (Tom) Evans of Sandpoint and Diane Cartwright (Carrick Romaley) Bonners Ferry; three sons, Phillip Balch of Sagle, Brian ( Johnna) Balch of Bellville, Ark., and Eric (Julie) Balch of Columbia Falls, Mont.; a brother, Charles Balch of Kalispell, Mont.; extended family, Cassandra Perry of Moscow, Idaho, Val Gene Perry Jr. of Boise, Idaho, Della Perry (Les) Wright of La Center, Wash., and Crystal Perry (Troy Weill) of Sagle; 22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, with three on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews. His special friend and brother, Lewis Johnson also survives.He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers; and a son.Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Loran's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online guest book.