Ronald L. Baliko saved Christine J. and Tony D. Walker, Jr. from suffocation, Utica, Michigan, December 8, 1974. When she discovered that fire had broken out on the ground floor of her two-story home, the mother of Christine, 2, and Tony, 3, both of whom were in an upstairs bedroom, summoned a neighbor, Baliko, 35, equipment driver. He entered the burning living room and, despite dense smoke and spreading flames, made his way to the bedroom, where Christine and Tony had by then lost consciousness. Breaking a window, Baliko dropped Christine and then Tony to the ground below, where a number of persons had gathered. Flames were spreading into the bedroom as Baliko then jumped from the window, falling onto his back and suffering broken vertebrae. Christine and Tony were revived. Baliko recovered after hospitalization.
54390-6228Obituary
Ronald Lee Baliko, 83, of Brown City, died August 27, 2022. He was born and raised in Detroit. He married Susan Wilder March 5, 1977.
Ronald retired as a skilled tradesman after 37 years with the Ford Motor Company. He received the Carnegie Hero Award in 1974, after he saved two children from a burning apartment building in Utica. He enjoyed landscaping, boating, riding motorcycles, and building and flying remote-control airplanes, playing cards with family and friends and cruising the back roads in his Side-by-Side with his dog.
Ronald is survived by his children Brian Baliko, Ronald (Michele) Baliko, Brandy Baliko and Michelle Baliko. Also surviving is his brother, William Baliko and grandchildren, Nicholas and Jessa Baliko.
He was preceded in death by his brother, George; wife, Linda (Spears) and the love of his life, Susan Baliko.