J. Ileen Ball
May 9, 2023 at 7:28 p.m.
Let me tell you about my mom…
My mom was not a people person, unlike her late husband, and daughter (yours truly), she could go all day without a word but if she liked you, she really liked you. If not, she didn't run home to talk behind your back, she kept it to herself. She had no time for gossip.
Mom was quick to share that she was born and raised on the family farm, and spent most of her life living on that farm, the 5TH generation to do so. Born March 23, 1932, the only child of Lyle R. & Fern (Clark) Shafer, Mom learned early on about hard work, long days, responsibilities, duty to family, and perseverance.
She graduated from the former Springfield High School (maybe that's why cardinals held a special fascination to her) and from Indiana Business College in Richmond.
She loved numbers and making sure that payroll checks were ready for hard working men and women at the end of each toiling week.
She was employed by the Decca Record Company after college; and worked in what is now the Starr-Gennett Pavilion located in the Richmond Gorge area. But she was needed closer to home, so returning to the farm, she worked her payroll magic for Sperry Rubber & Plastics for many years and for Campbell Hausfeld in Harrison, Ohio.
But her toughest jobs were keeping up with that handsome outgoing fellow she married on April 5, 1958, at the Whitcomb United Methodist Church, Virgil Ball, and being mother to her only daughter Marcia Ann.
Being the outgoing type, Dad and I always depended on mom Ileen to get us to our destinations safely and on time. She loved to drive and was quite impressive in her ability to navigate us all over Indiana and beyond.
As a child, she participated in 4-H, church activities, and was a charter member of Brookville Assembly No. 62, International Order of Rainbow for Girls. As an adult, she was quite active in Brookville Chapter #449, Order of Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron in 1962. She was a 73 year member at her passing. In addition she served as Regent of the Twin Forks Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, for eight years. Her church work continued as she was the pastor’s wife, a most humbling and often invisible position which from time to time, must have been overwhelming, but being a reserved person allowed her to be a great listener and comforter for those in need. Most of her acts of kindness were done covertly, without ever drawing attention to herself or the kindnesses she bestowed. She didn't even want her family to know, but occasionally a “thank you” would be heard from a recipient to let the cat out of the bag. I knew better than to attempt to discuss the leak, as she'd worked extremely hard to be anonymous.
My mother was not a humorous person, (hard to believe considering whom she put up with on a daily basis), but every three years or so she would drop a one liner that would halt all activity and fill the room with laughter, and our eyes with tears!
Her heart was never in the kitchen, but her specialties were: homemade oatmeal cake with coconut icing, chocolate no bake cookies, and the flakiest pie crust; when I was sick she would always make homemade tapioca pudding which always hit the spot.
As the years increased, along with the pain and discomfort of arthritis, she continued to be an avid reader until her vision weakened; and enjoyed surfing the TV channels with the remote. She never missed the Kentucky Derby or the Rose Parade. She received great joy watching her beagle friend Sam, and her grandpups Kitty and Mia the Jack Russell Lady bears play.
She loved roses and angel food cake with strawberries and whippy doo. She liked oatmeal for breakfast and was an avid coffee drinker until this past October when she switched to iced tea.
Not one time did I ever hear her make a negative comment regarding someone else's race, ethnicity or religion. She did not speak about politics but felt it her duty to vote. Larry Bird was her favorite basketball player, but she also watched golf, tennis, and racing. (Probably with the intention of shooing Dad and I out of the room so she could do her thing)
But most of all, she taught one endurance. Endurance through all situations of life. She was a warrior, a fighter, tough as nails, tougher than woodpecker lips. With each setback she would regroup, and be determined to get back up. She was not a quitter, 91 was not for the faint of heart. After years of declining health she softly drifted into heaven in a peaceful whisper on Saturday morning April 29, 2023. She is now at rest and peace with our Savior and many loved ones and friends.
Mom will be missed greatly, as she and I were able to spend her last months seldom apart. Others who have been blessed to love her and miss her include: her bestest buddy and sidekick Dan Bowne, who lovingly spoiled his Iruss with 2 chicken legs from Dairy Cottage each day, and who made sure she safely got to her many appointments. Her forever friend Clyde Bowne who always knew the right things to say and do to make her day brighter. Also “adopted” daughters Patricia Woods, Marie Bonnlander, Cindy Thomas, and Judy Hathaway, she loved you greatly. Her sweet sister-in-law, Kathleen Ball whom she recently visited, nephews and nieces, William Henry (Anna Whitehead) Ball, Carolyn (Jim) Stiles, Debbie (Mark Kerns) Holcomb, Mitchell (Rose) Ball, Garry Lee (Barbara) Ball, Kimberly D. (John) Stewart, Ronald E. (Linda) Ball, Vickie (David) Watson and Lori D. (Elmer) Kolb, as well as great-nieces and nephews and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 60 years, Virgil Ball, who died on October 2, 2018, and her nephew Jeff Sandlin, her brothers and sisters in law, Oakley and Hazel Ball, Hazel and Bill Holcomb, Henry Lee and Martha Rose Ball, Estill Ball, Mary and Wilbur Sandlin and her aunts Sylvia & Bertha Clark.
There will be no public services. She will be interred at Springfield Cemetery where she had served as a trustee until her health failed.
Memorials may be directed to Brookville Chapter #449 OES, 5038 Oxford Pike, Brookville, Indiana 47012, to benefit the Christmas families project which assists local school families in our area, or to Franklin County E.M.S. #2 for their unending kindness, caring and dedication.
I will not see a cardinal nor a yellow rose that I am not reminded of our many adventures together and the love we have shared. I Love you Mom, See you in a little while, Marcia A. Ball.
The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home are honored to once again serve the Ball family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com
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Let me tell you about my mom…
My mom was not a people person, unlike her late husband, and daughter (yours truly), she could go all day without a word but if she liked you, she really liked you. If not, she didn't run home to talk behind your back, she kept it to herself. She had no time for gossip.
Mom was quick to share that she was born and raised on the family farm, and spent most of her life living on that farm, the 5TH generation to do so. Born March 23, 1932, the only child of Lyle R. & Fern (Clark) Shafer, Mom learned early on about hard work, long days, responsibilities, duty to family, and perseverance.
She graduated from the former Springfield High School (maybe that's why cardinals held a special fascination to her) and from Indiana Business College in Richmond.
She loved numbers and making sure that payroll checks were ready for hard working men and women at the end of each toiling week.
She was employed by the Decca Record Company after college; and worked in what is now the Starr-Gennett Pavilion located in the Richmond Gorge area. But she was needed closer to home, so returning to the farm, she worked her payroll magic for Sperry Rubber & Plastics for many years and for Campbell Hausfeld in Harrison, Ohio.
But her toughest jobs were keeping up with that handsome outgoing fellow she married on April 5, 1958, at the Whitcomb United Methodist Church, Virgil Ball, and being mother to her only daughter Marcia Ann.
Being the outgoing type, Dad and I always depended on mom Ileen to get us to our destinations safely and on time. She loved to drive and was quite impressive in her ability to navigate us all over Indiana and beyond.
As a child, she participated in 4-H, church activities, and was a charter member of Brookville Assembly No. 62, International Order of Rainbow for Girls. As an adult, she was quite active in Brookville Chapter #449, Order of Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron in 1962. She was a 73 year member at her passing. In addition she served as Regent of the Twin Forks Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, for eight years. Her church work continued as she was the pastor’s wife, a most humbling and often invisible position which from time to time, must have been overwhelming, but being a reserved person allowed her to be a great listener and comforter for those in need. Most of her acts of kindness were done covertly, without ever drawing attention to herself or the kindnesses she bestowed. She didn't even want her family to know, but occasionally a “thank you” would be heard from a recipient to let the cat out of the bag. I knew better than to attempt to discuss the leak, as she'd worked extremely hard to be anonymous.
My mother was not a humorous person, (hard to believe considering whom she put up with on a daily basis), but every three years or so she would drop a one liner that would halt all activity and fill the room with laughter, and our eyes with tears!
Her heart was never in the kitchen, but her specialties were: homemade oatmeal cake with coconut icing, chocolate no bake cookies, and the flakiest pie crust; when I was sick she would always make homemade tapioca pudding which always hit the spot.
As the years increased, along with the pain and discomfort of arthritis, she continued to be an avid reader until her vision weakened; and enjoyed surfing the TV channels with the remote. She never missed the Kentucky Derby or the Rose Parade. She received great joy watching her beagle friend Sam, and her grandpups Kitty and Mia the Jack Russell Lady bears play.
She loved roses and angel food cake with strawberries and whippy doo. She liked oatmeal for breakfast and was an avid coffee drinker until this past October when she switched to iced tea.
Not one time did I ever hear her make a negative comment regarding someone else's race, ethnicity or religion. She did not speak about politics but felt it her duty to vote. Larry Bird was her favorite basketball player, but she also watched golf, tennis, and racing. (Probably with the intention of shooing Dad and I out of the room so she could do her thing)
But most of all, she taught one endurance. Endurance through all situations of life. She was a warrior, a fighter, tough as nails, tougher than woodpecker lips. With each setback she would regroup, and be determined to get back up. She was not a quitter, 91 was not for the faint of heart. After years of declining health she softly drifted into heaven in a peaceful whisper on Saturday morning April 29, 2023. She is now at rest and peace with our Savior and many loved ones and friends.
Mom will be missed greatly, as she and I were able to spend her last months seldom apart. Others who have been blessed to love her and miss her include: her bestest buddy and sidekick Dan Bowne, who lovingly spoiled his Iruss with 2 chicken legs from Dairy Cottage each day, and who made sure she safely got to her many appointments. Her forever friend Clyde Bowne who always knew the right things to say and do to make her day brighter. Also “adopted” daughters Patricia Woods, Marie Bonnlander, Cindy Thomas, and Judy Hathaway, she loved you greatly. Her sweet sister-in-law, Kathleen Ball whom she recently visited, nephews and nieces, William Henry (Anna Whitehead) Ball, Carolyn (Jim) Stiles, Debbie (Mark Kerns) Holcomb, Mitchell (Rose) Ball, Garry Lee (Barbara) Ball, Kimberly D. (John) Stewart, Ronald E. (Linda) Ball, Vickie (David) Watson and Lori D. (Elmer) Kolb, as well as great-nieces and nephews and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 60 years, Virgil Ball, who died on October 2, 2018, and her nephew Jeff Sandlin, her brothers and sisters in law, Oakley and Hazel Ball, Hazel and Bill Holcomb, Henry Lee and Martha Rose Ball, Estill Ball, Mary and Wilbur Sandlin and her aunts Sylvia & Bertha Clark.
There will be no public services. She will be interred at Springfield Cemetery where she had served as a trustee until her health failed.
Memorials may be directed to Brookville Chapter #449 OES, 5038 Oxford Pike, Brookville, Indiana 47012, to benefit the Christmas families project which assists local school families in our area, or to Franklin County E.M.S. #2 for their unending kindness, caring and dedication.
I will not see a cardinal nor a yellow rose that I am not reminded of our many adventures together and the love we have shared. I Love you Mom, See you in a little while, Marcia A. Ball.
The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home are honored to once again serve the Ball family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com
Paid obituary