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Earl Baltes
Earl Baltes, 93, of New Weston, Ohio, passed away, Monday, March 23,
2015 at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.
He was born April 27, 1921 in Versailles, Ohio, son of the late
Leroy and Ellie (Frantz) Baltes. In addition to his parents
he was preceded in death by his brothers, Nicholas, Ralph, and James
Baltes; and sisters, Zelma Ernst, Rita Condon and Bertha Siegrist; and
a brother-in-law David Moeller.
Earl was a well-known race promoter for over 50 years having started
Eldora Speedway in Rossburg as well as promoted, New Bremen Speedway,
Limaland Speedway, Millstream at Findlay, Mansfield Speedway in
Mansfield, Dayton Speedway all in Ohio, Pleasant Hill Speedway and
Salem Speedway both in Indiana. He had started some of the
highest paying short track races including The World 100, The Kings
Royal, The Dream and The Four Crown.
He was inducted into many Hall of Fames, including National Sprint Car,
National Dirt Late Model, USAC, Dayton Auto Racing Fans, Hoosier Auto
Racing Fans and was named USAC Race Organizer of the Year in 1984 and
1997. He was named Auto Racing Promoter of the Year in 1993 and fellow
iconic promoter H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler recognized him with the Charlotte
Motor Speedway Promoter of the Year Award in 2001. The state of Ohio
named Route 118 “Earl Baltes Highway” from Ansonia to the south to St.
Henry to the north.
Earl's other passion was music. He had his own orchestra, The Earl
Baltes Orchestra. He had owned several nightclubs including, Crystal
Ballroom (with Leroy and Ellie), Eldora Ballroom, Bar E Club, and
Shady Park in Celina, and had played at Wintergarden Nightclub in
Piqua, St. Henry Nightclub and St. Anthony. He also played
several other weddings and events.
Earl was a veteran of US Army having served in the 21st ORD MM CO
during WWII. He was a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church in
Burkettsville. He was a member of Greenville Elk's, Celina Moose,
American Legion, VFW and Eagles.
Earl is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 67 years,
Berneice (Moeller) Baltes, whom he married April 26, 1947; his
daughter, Starr (Joe) Schmitmeyer, and his son, Terry (Dee) Baltes;
grandchildren, Chad, Tess, Joey, Josh, Kate, Tish; 13 great
grandchildren; sister, Susie Barga; brother-in-law, Norman
Moeller; sister-in-law, Jeanette Fullenkamp; and numerous nieces and
nephews.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30, Saturday, March 28 at
the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Burkettsville with Father Tom Hemm
celebrating. Burial with full military honors will follow in the St.
Bernard Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Oliver-Floyd Funeral Home, 1000
N. Broadway St., Greenville, OH on Friday, March 27, from 2 PM to 8 PM.
and again Saturday from 9 a.m. till 9:45 a.m.
Earl requested that memorial contributions be given to the American
Heart Association.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.oliverfloyd.com
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