Obituaries

Michael "Mike" Bala

Photo of Michael  "Mike" Bala
Michael Bala, age 69 of Cabot, Arkansas, passed away on July 26 from complications of cancer treatment. Mike was born in Reisberg, Germany on March 13, 1945. During the time of his birth, Reisberg was being bombed by the Allies, and during the time of his birth, the hospital took a direct hit. The hospital was leveled, but they managed to survive. The first four years of his life was spent in a work camp, until his mother and family came to the U.S. in 1949, sponsored by the Prosby family in Felton, MN. The family moved to Salem, Arkansas in 1959. Mike enlisted in the Navy in 1963. After completing his tour of duty, he enlisted in the Army, and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where he served as a drill sergeant until he volunteered for a tour of duty in Vietnam. He served at Fort Campbell, Ky. in the 101st Airborne Division, and received a bronze star. He also served at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he was a Green Beret and Special Forces member, and at Fort Benning, Ga. as a 75th Ranger Battalion. He was wounded and received two purple hearts during his tour. After completing his tour, he enlisted in the Marines where he retired with a medical discharge. Mike moved to Nashville, Tenn. in 1985 where he was a partner in an entertaining development. He returned to Arkansas in 2010, settling in Cabot. He continued to work on a potential hotel/recreational development. Mike is preceded in death by his father, Victor Bala, mother, Tamara Prosby, brothers, Victor Bala Jr. and Jurik Bala; and sister, Barbara Lown. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Doris, his sons Wesley Bala of Cabot, Michael Bala Jr. and his wife Courtney, and two grandsons, Spencer and Peyton of Columbia, S.C.; sisters, Irene Mickels of Michigan, Jan DesJardins of South Dakota, and Mary Ann Hodge of North Little Rock, and numerous other relatives. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church at 4106 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Arkansas followed by a Visitation Reception in the church parish hall. Graveside Services with full military honors will be held at noon, Friday, August 1, 2014 at Arkansas State Veterans' Cemetery at 1501 West Maryland Avenue, North Little Rock, Arkansas. Mike will be remembered as never having met a stranger. He has a loving and generous heart. Arrangements are by Huson Funeral Home in Sherwood. Sign an online guestbook at husonfuneralhome.com.

Published July 29, 2014

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