 |
| |||
| Radio Station Info | Staff | Advertising | Job Opportunities | Contact Us |
Listen Live
|
|||
|
08/08/2009 - Reverend John C. Ballard
Memorial Services for Reverend John C. Ballard, age 88, of Chadron will be Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 2:00 PM at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron with Pastor Bruce Scherbarth and Pastor June Ballard officiating.
A memorial service will also be conducted in California later when his ashes are interred in Oceanview/Sunset Memorial Park in Eureka, California.
A memorial has been established for New Covenant Church of the Nazarene. Donations may be sent to the New Covenant Church of the Nazarene, 602 Chadron Ave., Chadron, NE 69337.
John Ballard, 88, passed away at his home Sunday afternoon July 19.
John was born in Bartlett, NE, to John C. Ballard, Sr. and Maud Louise (Unangst) Ballard, one of 8 children. His childhood and teen years were spent primarily in Crawford. His education was interrupted and when he returned to high school he was a few years older than his classmates. He left school to join the U. S. Navy in January, 1942, but was always identified with the Class of 1943. He was later awarded his high school diploma to make him an official member of the class.
His World War II service as a First Class Pharmacist's Mate was an important part of his life and he enjoyed recounting those experiences. While stationed at a naval hospital in San Bernardino, CA, he met his first wife Joyce Clayton Milne and her 7-year old son by a previous marriage. He brought her to Crawford to be married in the Fort Robinson Chapel so his parents could be present for the event on June 17, 1945. After his discharge in October of 1945, he brought the family, now including his orphaned sister-in-law, back to Crawford and established the Ballard Dairy. Two children were born in Crawford.
When offered an opportunity to become an electician for Fred Teets and the Star Seed Company, he realized that would be more profitable and gave up the dairy. The Rural Electrification Administration kept electricians busy bringing electricity to the area farms, but when this came to an end, the family moved to California, where his trade as an electrician opened doors for maintenance jobs. Four more children were born in California.
His namesake, John III, was stricken with polio as a toddler. As John carried his limp body into the hospital, he thought, "Only God can save him." Little Jack's miraculous healing was a turning point in the lives of his parents as they acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. John felt the call to ministry. He served as a bivocational pastor in several small churches in southern and northern California. After 31 years of marriage Joyce died of cancer in 1976, leaving him with a 14-year -old son yet to raise.
In 1977 John married June Conrad. His dream of becoming a traveling evangelist became a reality in December 1979. After 20 years in the Eureka City Schools and College of the Redwoods, he retired as Director of Maintenance and Operations for the Eureka City Schools. In 1980 they bought a rental property in Chadron and began ten years of evangelism, including pastoring a small church at South Knoxville, TN. In 1990 they bought a home in Chadron and settled down.
Immediate Survivors:
Wife- June of 32 years.
Sons- Robert and wife Dorothy Ballard of Alpine, CA; Paul and wife Karen Ballard of Poway, CA; Stephen and wife Marsha Ballard of Phoenix, AZ; Gordon Ballard of San Diego, CA. Daughters- Carol Anne Ballard of Front Royal, VA; Kathryn and husband Greg Leuterio of Sacramento, CA.
Stepsons- Arnold and wife Fern Conrad of Modesto, CA; Jim Conrad of Barstow, CA.
Stepdaughters- Coleen and husband Dave McDavid of Eureka, CA; Joleen and husband Bill Weygandt of Barstow, CA; Kathleen and husband John Eagle of Laguna Beach, CA. Daughter-In-Law- Sandy Ballard of Fields Landing, CA.
Sisters-In-Law- Frankie and husband Dick Johnson of Vaughn, WA; Claire and husband Mahlon Hale of Bend, OR.
Grandchildren- 11 Step-Grandchildren- 7 Great Grandchildren- 8 Niece- Wilma and husband Skip Eaton of Chadron, NE.
Numerous other nieces and nephews.
Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements.
Back to FuneralsPrinter Friendly Version Send Story to a friend. |
