Severino Y. Balarbar

Severino Ymana "Ben" Balarbar, while surrounded by family, passed away on March 14, 2024. He was born on March 23, 1930 to Teofilo and Ciriaca Balarbar in San Fabian, Pangasinan, Philippines. He was one of 9 children: Mauro, Brigida, Maura, Genaro, Graciano, Abelardo, Angelita, and Pilarita.

Severino joined the U.S. Army on June 6, 1953 where he completed one tour in the Korean War with an artillery unit and three tours in the Vietnam War, from the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) to liaising with the Republic of Vietnam Marine Division. After his retirement from active duty on July 31, 1979, he worked in the civil service in the Department of Defense at Fort Bliss, Texas and White Sands Missile Range, NM until his eventual retirement on April 5, 1997.

Severino married Josefina Fernandez Bautista on January 16, 1966 in San Fabian, Pangasinan, Philippines. They later were stationed in Fort Sam Houston, TX, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, and then finally Fort Bliss, Texas. He was an exemplary and loving father to his four children, whom he and Josefina raised in El Paso, TX. He eventually received his Associates Degree at the El Paso Community College, an accomplishment for which he and his family were proud of considering his humble beginnings in the Philippines. He was an avid gardener, spending many hours a day growing fruits and vegetables in his garden, sharing his bounties with his friends and family. He was an active member of the Emmaus Catholic Church in Lakeway, TX. He was the embodiment of unconditional love, of strong commitment to his family, and of extreme generosity to his siblings, spouse, and his children.

Severino joins his parents and 7 siblings in heaven. He is survived by his wife Josefina (Bautista) Balarbar, his sister Pilarita Balarbar, his son James B. Balarbar, his wife Ruth Q. Balarbar and their 3 sons, Justin, Noah, and Jeremiah; his son Richard B. Balarbar, his wife Jacqueline A. Balarbar and their daughter B'Elanna; his daughter Shirley Anne Casillas, her husband Louie Casillas, and their 3 daughters, Catalina, Annalina, and Carmela; and his daughter Melinda B. Balarbar, her husband Joseph P. Santiago, and their four children, Lauren, Alexandra, Olivia, and Roman.

Prayer service will be held on April 2, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 411 RR 620 South, Lakeway, TX 78734.

Funeral service will be on April 3, 2024 at 10:00 am at Emmaus Catholic Church, 1718 Lohmans Crossing Rd, Lakeway, TX 78734.

Graveside service will be on April 4, 2024 at 10:00 am at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.