Manley Jacob Baltzer, 89, died Friday February 13, 2009, at North MS Medical Center in Tupelo, MS. Iris Elizabeth (Moore) Baltzer, 84, his wife and companion of 62 years, preceded him in death in March of 2005.

Manley (Jake) was born July 23, 1919, in Otter Lake, Mich. He was employed as a deck hand on the Great Lakes by Wyandotte Chemical from age 16 until drafted into the U.S. Navy during WWII. He served on the USS LCS#2 as postman, medic, and assistant chaplain during the Pacific campaign. He had a long career as a barber and dairy farmer in rural Michigan after the war, returning to the Great Lakes as an officer for Huron Cement Company and obtaining his captain's license. Jake served as an elder in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ (Community of Christ) for many years and lent his ringing baritone voice to many weddings, funerals and special events. He performed leading roles for Port Huron Community Theatre. In later years he was known for impromptu serenades of amp"A Pretty Girl is Like a Melodyamp".

Iris was born in Snover, Mich., September 29, 1920. She graduated from East Detroit High School. After attending business college, she was a bookkeeper for Johnson Milk Company and later, partner in the dairy farm. Iris was a Sunday school teacher, piano accompianist, church organist, admired cook and craftswoman, and beloved mother.

The Baltzers built a house in Fulton in 1981 and moved there permanently upon Mr. Baltzer's retirement in 1987. They are survived by four children, Iris Green of West Des Moines, Iowa, Dr. Roderick Baltzer of Cheboygan, Mich., Dr. Doris Marquis of Fulton, and Kellie Krasinski of Tallahassee, Fla.; 12 grandchildren, Dr. Tyler Green of Texas, Kristi Green Kirkpatrick of Iowa, Scott Green of Minn., Jonathan Green of Conn., Nicole Baltzer Fantini of Mass., Jacqueline Baltzer of Mich., Ashley Baltzer Buck of N.H., Danielle Marquis, Joseph Marquis and Marie Marquis of Mississippi, Victoria Krasinski and Joseph Krasinski of Fla.; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Both Manley and Iris donated their bodies to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson to further the education of the medical and dental students in honor of those who made themselves available for their own children's study. The family will be arranging a memorial get-together at a later date. Anyone who has memories of Jake or Iris they would like to share with the family may send a note to P.O. Box 429, Fulton MS 38843, or e-mail marquisdentalcenter@gmail.com. Memorials may be made to the food pantry in Fulton in care of Fulton United Methodist Church.