Dateline: Jerseyville
Bernard "Barney" Baalman, 92, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Jersey Community Hospital surrounded by his family. Barney was born to Anthony and Frieda (Tepen) Baalman in Meppen, Illinois. One of nine children, Barney grew up in rural Meppen and graduated from Brussels High School in 1950. He attended the University of Illinois before graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1963.
Barney often recalled the hard times his family faced while growing up during the Great Depression. His father lost his farm in the isolated hills of Meppen and travel was limited as the family did not own a vehicle. Following his high school graduation, Barney worked construction until he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War in 1952. Fortunately, after basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Barney was sent to Germany where he spent part of his service as an interpreter due to the practice he had speaking the language durin

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