Edd Balch, charter member of College Street Players and longtime Hartselle supporter, died Sunday. He was 69.

The news of Balch’s death reverberated around Hartselle Monday and Tuesday.

Kelley Redmond, executive director of the Hartselle Fine Arts Center, said it was a sad day for Hartselle.

“Everybody loves Edd and (his wife) Elaine. They are just precious people,” Redmond said. “It was just a shock to everyone.”

Redmond said that Balch was always a calming influence, especially when they were putting on a production at the Fine Arts Center.

“Edd was always so calm,” Redmond said. “I was always nervous and frantic, but he was just always so calm.”

Balch has been an instrumental part of the Fine Arts Center and the success of College Street Players through the years.

He has either directed or assisted with numerous College Street Player productions. His last play to direct was “Give My Regards to Broadway” earlier this year.

Balch was also a former minister of youth at Flint Baptist Church for 34 years and a member of Westmeade Baptist Church, where he was a member of the choir, the praise team and helped with children’s choir.

He was a retired insurance agent and part owner of the Rankin, Shelton, Hunter and Balch Agency.

Funeral for Balch will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Westmeade Baptist Church. A visitation will be held today (Wed.) from 6-9 p.m.

Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Elaine Balch, and two sons, Dustin Balch and wife Susie and Ashley Balch and wife Amy, all of Decatur.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hartselle Fine Arts Center, American Cancer Society, Hartselle Scholarship Foundation or to a charity of your choice.