Former Grace Brethren Pastor Clyde Balyo With the Lord

Former Grace Brethren pastor Clyde Groce Balyo, age 96, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away on June 29, 2010.

He was born on November 23, 1913 in Greenville, South Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina and graduated from Grace Theological Seminary in 1946 with a Bachelor of Theology degree.

He pastored at the North Riverdale (OH) Brethren from 1946 to 1953 and served with the Greater Dayton Association of Southern Baptists as supply and interim pastor for 22 years.

In 1958 he accepted a position at Elano Corp. as production control manager, later becoming personnel manager. He returned to Elano Corp. as Vice President, retiring in 1985.

In 1989, at the age of 76, Clyde began his hobby of embroidery. He became a member of the Dayton Chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America. He later developed a special interest in Japanese Embroidery and excelled in this special art.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John G. and Etta C. Balyo; wife Mary Frederick Balyo; a son, John Edwin Balyo; two sisters, Lucille B. Reed and Clare Martin; two brothers, William H. Balyo and Dr. John G. Balyo. He is survived by his wife, Elsie Grubbs Balyo; two daughters, Brenda L. Sperry and husband David of Naples, Florida and Aileen Lehman and husband Roy of Medina, Ohio; a daughter-in-law, Darlene B. Scott of Springboro, Ohio; a stepson James H. Frederick and wife Doris of Springfield, Ohio.

He also leaves his granddaughters: Debbie Cooper (Mike) of Connersville, Indiana, Amy Sohrenssen (Mike) of Lancaster, Ohio, Jenny Healy (Steve) of Hamden, CT, Susan Miller (Scott) of Columbus, Ohio, Kristen Nelles (Daniel) of Galloway, Ohio; grandsons: Brad Balyo (Lori) of Springboro, Ohio; Robert Sperry (Talli) of Media, PA; Andrew Sperry (Marianne) of Franklin, TN; Brian Lehman (Joy) of Upper Arlington, Ohio; Andrew Lehman (Cara) of Cincinnati, Ohio; 16 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Funeral services were held on Friday, July 2 at the Centerville Grace Brethren Church with Pastor Dave Holmes officiating. Interment is at Lower Miami Cemetery. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dayton Christian School.

Clyde's confident belief in the atoning death of the Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrection as a guarantee of the believer's resurrection is expressed in these words of the Apostle Paul. "I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed and I am persuaded that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day."