Iris Levy Balser

COLUMBIA Iris Levy Balser passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2014 at her home, surrounded by loved ones. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at Beth Shalom Synagogue with interment following in Beth Shalom Cemetery on Whaley Street. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Mrs. Balser was born on March 29, 1927 in Columbia, the first daughter of the late Moe and Florence Hirshman Levy. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Dr. Jacob Leonard Balser, her son-in-law, Dr. Oscar Lee Berry Jr. of Shreveport, LA and nephew, Jerry Rittenberg.

She attended the Columbia Public Schools and USC for three semesters before her marriage to her beloved Leonard. Dr. and Mrs. Balser shared 66 years of marriage that was a beautiful story of love and devotion. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and derived much happiness from her family. She was also a devoted daughter and loving sister. She especially enjoyed her bookkeeping responsibilities in her husband's dental office and her years assisting her son, Richard, in his business-Initially Yours and Columbia Luggage.

Honoring Mrs. Balser as pallbearers are Anthony Bates, granddaughter, Michelle Webb and her husband Doug, and her nephews, Zachary Hodges, Robert Hodges, and Trent Grant. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Sherwood Stark, Toby Drucker, Eric Danker, Spencer Fleming and Fabian Miree.

Survivors include her daughter, Susan Balser Berry of Shreveport, LA; son, Richard Balser and wife Van of Chapin, SC; granddaughter, Michelle Balser Webb (Doug) of Sanford, NC; granddaughter, Amy Balser Vance (Scott) and great- grandsons, Griffin Michael Vance and Tanner Jacob Vance of Cincinnati, OH. Also surviving are her devoted and loving sisters, Gloria Rittenberg (Harold) and Arlene Pearlstine (Ben); nieces and nephews, Dr. Ira Pearlstine (Amy), Terri Pearlstine Hodges (Rob), Eileen Rittenberg (Trent Grant), Paula Prager, Dr. Robert Prager (Beverly). She also leaves her loving and beloved Maltese, Reggie III.

The family would like to thank Rabbi and Mrs. Jonathan Case for their love and compassion. To Barbara Miree and Anthony Bates, our heartfelt gratitude for making her final years happy ones and loving her as you did-we are eternally grateful. Our thanks also to Fabian Miree and Mary Goodwin.

Memorials may be made to Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206.