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John J. Balliet April 12, 1951 - September 8, 2016

John J. Balliet, 65, of Allentown, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2016 in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Inpatient Hospice Unit, Allentown surrounded by his loving family.  John was the husband of Kathy L. (Steiger) Balliet.  They were married for 25 years.  John was born in Allentown a son of the late Franklin S. and Agnes B. (Bohrer) Balliet.  He was a graduate of Parkland High School Class of 1968.  He was a member of the 1966 undefeated Parkland Football team who was most recently inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.  John joined the Marines in 1969. He served in Vietnam with the 1st Reconnaissance B.N. 1st Marine Division.  He was involved in numerous close range fire fights with the NVA and the Viet Cong.  John was awarded many medals including a Bronze Star, with combat “V”. He was a re-con Marine to the core. Semper Fi.  John was a member of the Allentown Police Department in the mid 70’s working with the tactical squad and was awarded several commendations for his actions. He left the department to pursue his love of flying.  John was employed by Northwest Airlines where he served in various capacities including Director of Flying, Chief Pilot for Detroit Flight Operations, Chief Pilot, Honolulu Flight Operations, Instructor Pilot B767, B727, 727 and Special Projects Pilot. He retired from Delta Airlines April 12, 2016.  Throughout his career he was committed to using his talents as a pilot to provide military troop transports into the war zones of the Middle East. He was a member of Cedar Luther Church, Allentown and the Dream Mile Club.

Survivors: Wife; brothers, Joseph R. husband of Gail Balliet of Annville and James F. husband of Melissa A. Balliet of Allentown; sisters, Louise B. wife of James L. Haines, Jr. of Allentown and Alice B. wife of Noel Peters of Allentown, nieces and nephews.

Services: 11:00 A.M. Wednesday in the Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. 274 North Krocks Road, Allentown. Call 9:00 – 11:00 A.M. Wednesday in the funeral home. Military honors will conclude the service in the garden of the funeral home.  Private interment will be in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.  www.stephensfuneral.com.

Contributions: Marine Corps Heritage Foundation P.O. Box 96628 Washington DC 20090-6628, Cedar Lutheran Church 3419 Broadway Allentown, PA 18104, Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue 60 Vera Cruz Road Reinholds PA 17569, St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105.

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