Denny Balaun, of Bradenton, FL, passed away on March 26, 2025 from complications of Stevens Johnson Syndrome.
Denny was a devoted Catholic, and a 1958 graduate of St. Vincent High School. He then majored in Business at the University of Akron. He served in the United States Coast Guard between September 20, 1961 and June 19, 1969.
Denny worked for his family's restaurant business, the William J. Balaun Company, and became Restaurant Manager/Owner. At one time the company, which was founded by his father in the1930s, consisted of 16 restaurants, including the concession stands at Cedar Point amusement park in the 1940s.
He married his first wife, Joyce in 1965, and together they raised their kids near St. Sebastian's Church before moving to Portage Lakes. Denny and Joyce enjoyed taking adventurous trips to explore their shared love for seafood.
In 1994, he retired from the William J. Balaun, Co., and shortly thereafter moved to Bradenton, Florida with his second wife, Vicki Fletcher Balaun. He worked part time as a Restaurant Manager for the Crab Trap before becoming an official retiree.
Known for his dry sense of humor, Denny was a jokester who kept family and friends always laughing. He was known for saying that he was "especially thankful for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders" at Thanksgiving. He loved fishing and boating at his home in Portage Lakes and continued those hobbies in Florida after retiring. He enjoyed fishing with his son, Mitch, and his brother, Duke. He was a generous man who continually donated to multiple charities.
Denny was born on July 20, 1940, the fifth child of William Joseph Balaun and Evelyn Marie (Seikel) Balaun. He had four brothers and two sisters all of whom preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Vicki Fletcher Balaun of Bradenton, Florida, a son, Michael "Mitch" Balaun of Bradenton, Florida, daughters, Veronica "Pepper" (Mike) Slusser and Linda "Chickadee" (Greg) Mosko of Stow, OH, and step-daughter Vicki "Cheerios" (Chad) McClenathen of Sarasota, FL. He was blessed with eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Joyce Scott Balaun, his brothers John (Marian), William (Ann), Father George, Richard "Duke" (Susan), and his sisters Marilyn Dettling (Ted) and Helen March (Larry).
A celebration of life will be determined at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23453 or www.operationsmile.org 1-888-OPSMILE
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL, 34207, is in charge of arrangements.
