Sonny (Auburn) Balser, 70, of Plymouth, lost his courageous battle with cancer at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, with his loving family by his side.

Born on May 1, 1944 in Charleston, W.V., Sonny was the son of Lestel G. and Galdys P. (Hopper) Balser. On Nov. 28, 1998, Sonny married Gail Sweisberger in Plymouth.

Sonny was the owner/operator of Granada Van Conversions in Bristol, Ind., and he managed three trailer parks in the Plymouth area for over 12 years. He also worked for Pioneer Auto in Osceola until his retirement in 2010.

Sonny was a family man, and a giver of some great hugs. He loved family cookouts, making sure everyone left full, and always said “I Love You”. He was a fan of Notre Dame Football and of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. He also enjoyed tending to his vegetable garden. He was a former member of the Moose Lodge in Plymouth.

He is survived by his wife of almost 17 years, Gail, Plymouth, and their children: Tony (Amy) Balser, Rolling Prairie; Angie (Sam) Martin, Nappanee; Chris (Jaime) Balser, Mishawaka; Tracy Davis, Plymouth; Zachary (Angel) Davis, Plymouth; Elizabeth (Jason) Davis, Plymouth; and Katie (Bryan) Davis, Plymouth; 22 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

His siblings are: Jim (Marie) Balser, Goshen; David (Renata) Balser, Elkhart; L.G. Balser  Elkhart; Leigh (Mike) Spain, Elgin, Ohio; and Mary Helen McMakin, Manville, Texas; as well as, numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother: Charles Mancil.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth. A time of memory sharing will immediately follow at 7 p.m. in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to Memorial Children’s Hospital 615 N Michigan St, South Bend, IN 46601

Notes of condolence may be sent to the family through the web-site: www.johnson-danielson.com