Jeffrey Robert Balinger

Jeffrey Robert Balinger, 55, of Cleveland went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 20, 2016 after a battle with cancer.
He was a lifelong resident of Cleveland, TN and recently retired after 33 years from Maytag/Whirlpool Corporation. He served 13 years as a Staff Sargent in the U.S. Army National Guard 278th Calvary Unit, Troop A. Jeff helped out the local community working as a reserve officer for the Cleveland Police Department for many years. He was a member of Mount Olive Ministries, where he enjoyed singing and hearing the old hymns.
Jeff was an avid outdoorsman in his youth. He enjoyed camping and storytelling around the campfire. His biggest passion was planning and cooking for the family. Later in life, he enjoyed spending time with his sons watching and quoting old movies to much amusement. He was also an avid Tennessee Volunteers fan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert “Al” Balinger and Pauline Kerr Balinger; and his only sister, Joyce Scoggins Kibler.
He is survived by his two sons and daughter-in-law’s: Matthew Balinger and Melody Strain-Balinger of Cleveland, TN and Nicholas Balinger and Sandy Venegas-Balinger of Berwyn, IL; mother of his children, Susan Balinger-Haston; three grandchildren whom he adored, Kaleb, Chloe, and Alana Balinger all of Cleveland, TN; and two brothers Randy Balinger and wife Marla Morgan-Balinger of Marietta, GA.; Tony Balinger and wife Pamela Gentry-Balinger of Cleveland, TN and many other close family members and a host of friends.
A memorial service, with military honors, will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at Mount Olive Ministries with Rev. Gary Sears officiating. The family will receive friends at 10 A.M. with a service following at 11 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in Jeff’s honor be made to the American Cancer Society for cancer research.
You are encouraged to share a memory of Jeff and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial web page and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home and the Cody family are honored to assist the Balinger family with his arrangements.