He was born April 27, 1921 in Versailles, Ohio, son of the late Leroy and Ellie (Frantz) Baltes. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Nicholas, Ralph, and James Baltes; and sisters, Zelma Ernst, Rita Condon and Bertha Siegrist; and a brother-in-law David Moeller.
Earl was a well-known race promoter for over 50 years having started Eldora Speedway in Rossburg as well as promoted, New Bremen Speedway, Limaland Speedway, Millstream at Findlay, Mansfield Speedway in Mansfield, Dayton Speedway all in Ohio, Pleasant Hill Speedway and Salem Speedway both in Indiana, . He had started some of the highest paying short track races including The World 100, The Kings Royal, The Dream and The Four Crown.
He was inducted into many Hall of Fames, including National Sprint Car, National Dirt Late Model, USAC, Dayton Auto Racing Fans, Hoosier Auto Racing Fans and was named USAC Race Organizer of the Year in 1984 and 1997. He was named Auto Racing Promoter of the Year in 1993 and fellow iconic promoter H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler recognized him with the Charlotte Motor Speedway Promoter of the Year Award in 2001. The state of Ohio named Route 118 “Earl Baltes Highway” from Ansonia to the south to St. Henry to the north.
Earl's other passion was music. He had his own orchestra, The Earl Baltes Orchestra. He had owned several nightclubs including, Crystal Ballroom (with Leroy and Ellie), Eldora Ballroom, Bar E Club, and Shady Park in Celina, and had played at Wintergarden Nightclub in Piqua, St. Henry Nightclub and St. Anthony. He also played several other weddings and events.
Earl was a veteran of US Army having served in the 21st ORD MM CO during WWII. He was a member of the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Burkettsville. He was a member of Greenville Elk's, Celina Moose, American Legion, VFW and Eagles.
Earl is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 67 years, Berneice (Moeller) Baltes, whom he married April 26, 1947; his daughter, Starr (Joe) Schmitmeyer, and his son, Terry (Dee) Baltes; grandchildren, Chad, Tess, Joey, Josh, Kate, Tish; 13 great grandchildren; sister, Susie Barga; brother-in-law, Norman Moeller; sister-in-law, Jeanette Fullenkamp; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30, Saturday, March 28 at the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Burkettsville with Father Tom Hemm celebrating. Burial with full military honors will follow in the St. Bernard Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Oliver-Floyd Funeral Home, 1000 N. Broadway St., Greenville, OH on Friday, March 27, from 2 PM to 8 PM. and again Saturday from 9 a.m. till 9:45 a.m.
Earl requested that memorial contributions be given to the American Heart Association.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.oliverfloyd.com