Daniel Nolan Balman

March 09, 2017

On March 9th, 2017, Daniel Nolan Balman; a veteran whose greatest passion was freedom, was finally granted his own freedom when his spirit was released from the body that had long imprisoned him. He died at home with his wife Sally by his side, just as she had been for their entire life together.

Daniel was born to the late Nolan F. Balman and the late Ruth D. Balman of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. From Philadelphia, Daniel moved to South Africa where he resided with his parents and family until 1958 when he returned to the states and completed his secondary schooling at Manheim Township. There, he met his beloved wife and longtime caregiver, Sally Louise Martin. They married in 1967 after Daniel completed Bible College and enlisted in the United States Army.

During his military career, he achieved the rank of Captain and was deployed to Vietnam in April of 1968 as a member of US Army Special Forces assigned to MACV-SOG. During his deployment, Daniel was wounded, earning a bronze star for meritorious service in a combat zone and Purple Heart before returning stateside a year later.

Daniel raised a family and served in law enforcement as well as several managerial positions until he was no longer able to work due to his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder and neurological damage sustained from his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1986 and suffered from the effects of it for more than three decades before he died.

In spite of his physical limitations, Daniel’s most impressive accomplishment was the bravery with which he faced his everyday life. The rigors of his disease robbed him of his cherished independence but did not rob him of his indomitable spirit. He was a dedicated foodie who favored sweets, particularly anything of the gummy variety because he refused to wear his dentures and gummies were easy to chew. He had a fantastic sense of humor and was comically ornery at times. Above all else, Daniel took pride in his country and stood firmly upon the foundation of his faith, The Lord Jesus Christ, a faith he credited for sustaining him when the challenges of life seemed too daunting to press forward.

Daniel is survived by his wife, Sally L. Balman, children, Daniel A. Balman and his wife Karen, their children, Madeline, Erica, Daniel, and Lindsey, Lloyd David Balman and wife Melissa, their children Anneliese, Oliva, and Noelle, Benjamin Allen Balman and his wife Kathy, their children, Gwyndolyn and Rowyn, Ethan Edward Balman and his wife Leah, their children, Dylan Hoffman, Brenna, Mya, Erik, Chloe, and Charis, and Keren Wierzbicky, her child, Noah Wierzbicky.

In addition to his immediate family, Daniel is survived by his siblings, Phyllis Hogerwerth, Lowell Balman, Rebecca Hollinger, and Loren Balman.

Services will be at a later date and will be announced at that time. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Daniel to the Disabled American Veterans, www.DAV.org/Donate.