Joseph T. Balum, 86, of Hellertown died Saturday, November 27, 2010 at Old Orchard Health Care Ceneter, Bethlehem Twp. He is the husband of Anna M. (Buchold) Balum who died October 22, 2010.

Born in Hellertown on July 13, 1924 to the late Joseph T. and Susan (Trily) Balum. Joseph worked as an Engineer for the PB&NE Railroad at the Bethlehem Steel for 38 years until retiring in 1984. He served the country honorably during WWII in the US Army, Staff Sgt. serving with the 17th Airborne Division, 325th Glider Infantry, Company C; recipient of the Puple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars and 1 Bronze Arrowhead, World War II Victory Medal. He is a member of Church of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, Hellertown and the Edward H. Ackerman Post 397, Hellertown.

Survivors: Sons, Joseph T. Jr. and his wife Rosemary T. of Hellertown and Robert P. and his wife Jane S. of Hellertown; Brother, Paul and his wife Anna of Las Vegas, NV; Sisters, Anna Gaul in CA, Margaret wife of Ben Clappetta of New Port Richie, FL and Dorothy Basil of New Port Richie, FL; 5 Grandchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren.

Services: Family and Friends are invited to call from 9 - 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at the Church of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, 1408 Easton Road, Hellertown, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will conclude services at the Union Cemetery of Hellertown. Arrangements are by the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc. Hellertown.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorials to his church, 18055.