In Passing

Brian K. Balliet

Brian, age 74, of Goodyear, Ariz., formerly of Ann Arbor, Mich., passed away at Hospice of the Valley, Surprise, Ariz., on Dec. 18. He was born in Northampton, Penn., to Henry P. and Marian (Kern) Balliet on Jan. 21, 1947. Brian received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Lehigh University in 1968, where he was a member of the football team and the Theta Delta Chi fraternity.

While growing up in Slatington, Penn., he enjoyed hunting with his father and fishing with his childhood friend Bill, as well as his son, Jon. However, his true passion was his lifelong love of sports and dedication to fair play for all—baseball, basketball, but especially football. Brian coached various sporting teams for the neighborhood kids in the Ann Arbor Recreation League, where he had a long-standing impact on those who learned from him. He carried that passion beyond his years of playing high school and college football to his love of officiating many different sports. He officiated football at the youth and high school levels but went on to officiate as an umpire in the Mid-American Conference, Big 10, and on to the NFL, retiring in 2003. Always dedicated to the development side of the sport, Brian helped organize and run Officiating Clinics all over the world, working with young officials on technique in areas where the sport of football was just breaking through. He worked with officials and in games in Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, and even China. He will be sorely missed by his many officiating friends across the globe.

Mentor. Coach. Brother. Father. Friend. Brian’s absence will be felt by many. In addition to his family, he leaves behind many dear friends in the BFB Group, as well as the PebbleCreek community, particularly the Billiard Club and various card clubs.

Brian is survived by two sons: B. Jonathan (Ann) of Evergreen, Colo. and Christopher (Angela) of Holland, Mich., as well as his sister, Suzanne, of Ann Arbor, Mich. Brian was preceded in death by his parents.

Per his request, there will be no funeral service.

Donations, per his request, may be made to:

* Lehigh General Athletics Partnership in memory of Brian K. Balliet ‘68, giving.lehigh.edu

* Northern Lehigh High School Athletics; GoFundMe page: gofund.me/0baa3ff3

* The Salvation Army

Or, the family asks that you remember him in your own special way or by making a donation to your favorite charity.

A small memorial service will be planned for the spring of 2022 in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Bettyann Baumgartner

On Dec. 29, 2021, Bettyann Baumgartner, age 85, formerly of Goodyear, Ariz., was called home to be with the Lord.

Bettyann was born on Feb. 12, 1936, in New Brunswick, N.J., to Alexander Nagy and Elizabeth Farkas Nagy, both now deceased. She graduated from New Brunswick High School in 1954.

Bettyann was married on Nov. 22, 1958, to Leon Baumgartner at St. Peter’s Catholic the Apostle Church in New Brunswick, N.J. After moving to Texas, she attended night classes for college. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Laredo State University.

She worked for Johnson & Johnson in the Specification Department, was then transferred to Sherman, Texas, where she worked in the Bacteriology Lab and an Analytical Lab. She was then transferred to Laredo, Texas, where she worked in a twin plant operation. In 1982, she was transferred to El Paso, Texas, where she continued work in twin plant operations. Bettyann oversaw the introduction of new hospital packs, gowns, and head covers. She retired in 1994 as a vice president in the Surgikos Division of Johnson & Johnson; however, with her drive, she continued to consult for a few years thereafter.

Leon and Bettyann moved to PebbleCreek in March 1998 to a spacious house on the Eagle’s Nest side and then moved to the Tuscany side in 2003.

Bettyann was active in both the “9” and “18” Hole Women’s Golf Groups until she fell in 2016 and had to give up playing in league golf. In 2015, she was asked to take over the treasurer’s job for the newly organized PebbleCreek Putter’s Club. She was also president of the Putter’s Club from 2016-2018.

She was a devout member of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church family and worked for a few years in the church gift shop.

She is survived by her niece, Crystal Nagy Kashinsky and her husband, Robert “Kash” Kashinsky. She is predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Leon Baumgartner; her parents, Alexander George Nagy and Elizabeth Farkas Nagy; and her beloved brother, Alexander Frank Nagy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Diabetes Foundation, Kidney Foundation, and the American Heart Association.

Services were held at Thompson Funeral Chapel, Goodyear, Ariz., on Jan. 5. Immediately following was a mass of Catholic rite at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Avondale, Ariz. Bettyann was very loving and was very loved. She will be missed sorely yet remembered fondly. God Bless.

Ackie Brazil

Kare Bears respectfully announces the passing of Ackie Brazil of Unit 20. Ackie was 74 and died on Christmas Eve after his battle with cancer.

He was born in New York and grew up in Nevada, where he met his wife, Toni, in Carson City. They were married for 54 years.

Ackie was a brown water sailor on river patrol boats with the U.S. Navy in Vietnam. His cancer was a result of exposure to Agent Orange while in Vietnam. After he left the military, he worked in the car business, beginning in sales and ending in management. They bought their PebbleCreek home in 2005. Toni resided there from 2005 until Ackie joined her in 2015 after his retirement. Ackie enjoyed his life in PebbleCreek, where he played bocce ball. He loved the New York Yankees, traveling in their motorhome, and, most importantly, hot rodding.

Ackie is survived by his wife, Toni; their son, Cory; and their granddaughters, Cassidy, Savannah, and Brooklyn.

No memorial service is planned at this time.

Charles F. McErlean, Jr.

Charles F. McErlean, Jr. (aka Chick or Chuck) of PebbleCreek Resort Community died on Dec. 23, 2021, in Goodyear, Ariz. He was born Nov. 23, 1938, in Detroit, Mich., to Charles Sr. and Theodora McErlean.

Chuck attended Fenwick High School in suburban Chicago, graduating with honors before enrolling at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He followed in his dad’s footsteps, both in attending Georgetown and becoming an attorney. During his college years, he picked up the game of golf and began a lifelong love of the game. Upon graduation, Dad enrolled in Law School at Notre Dame University and upon graduation, joined the Naval Academy as an Officer in the Judge Advocates office, stationing in D.C. and eventually Camp Lejeune (N.C.) before his Honorable Discharge. Upon his military service, he joined United Airlines in their Legal Department, starting a 34-year career that spanned both the regulated and deregulated airline industry, offering many legal challenges that Dad successfully accomplished. Some of his highest accolades came from his work with Boeing, General Electric, and General Dynamics, negotiating complex, multi-million dollar deals to help accelerate United’s growth to become the world’s largest airlines.

Chuck also found time during his military career to start a family, bringing son James Patrick and daughter Laura Jean into his family by way of adoption. Upon accepting his job at United, Chuck completed his family with Kelly Lynn; however, that’s not where the family story ends.

During his life, Dad enjoyed attending many activities and functions with his nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren: sports/games/competitions, school concerts, and graduations topped this list, except when he wanted to teach one of us the game of golf. Upon retirement, Dad started his “fur” family, the four-legged friends that became a very important part of his life. Starting with Sparky and Susie, Dad’s fur family was all about rescuing his little buddies. Dad added Buster and Teddy to complete the fur family. Buster and Teddy remain in the extended McErlean family.

Dad’s life in retirement, in addition to his family, was centered around the PebbleCreek community. He was active with the Bunker Busters and various golf groups. He enjoyed spending time with the Singles Group, hosting movie nights, and attending dinner nights in the West Valley. However, his favorite activity was the Sunday Brunch group at Eagle’s Nest, where he and his friends spent nearly every Sunday solving the world’s problems.

Charles is survived by his daughters, Laura Enright and Kelly Hunt; son, Jim McErlean; and brother, Robert McErlean. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles McErlean, Sr.; mother, Thedora McErlean; sister, Mollie McErlean; beloved dogs, Sparky McErlean and Susie McErlean; and many beloved family and friends.

Visitation was held at Thompson Funeral Chapel on Sunday, Jan. 9. A recitation of the Holy Rosary with a memorial mass following at St. John Vianney’s was on Jan. 12. Burial was at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.

The family suggests that donations be made to Sun Valley Animal Shelter in Glendale, Ariz.

John R. Mushock

John R. Mushock, 85, passed away on Jan. 2, 2022, from Alzheimer’s and COVID. He was born in Johnson City, N.Y., to John and Verna Mushock. He graduated from Binghamton Central High School and entered the Marine Corps, where he served at Camp Lejuene, N.C. He also served aboard the air craft carrier USS Antietam and battleship USS Iowa. His final assignment was as a brig guard at Parris Island, S.C.

He graduated from Harpur College, S.U.N.Y., and joined IBM as an internal auditor. Throughout his 28 years at IBM, he also was in business controls and was a tech writer.

He is survived by his wife Sandra, son Jeffery, granddaughter Kiana, brother-in-law Thomas, and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his son Scott, daughter-in-law Jodi, and his parents.

Per John’s request, there will be no services.