Donald O. Ball, 87, husband, loving father, and grandfather, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, at Sweet Memorial Nursing Care Center in Chinook of natural causes.
A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Sweet Memorial Chapel with Pastor Mark Kolwicz officiating. Don was born Sept. 19, 1919, to Clarence C. and Mary Francis (Godfrey) Ball in Utica, Ill. He attended school in LaSalle, Ill., graduating in 1933. The family later moved to Custer, Okla. He served in the U. S. Army Air Corps during WWII as an aircraft mechanic. He later met Kathleen Curtis Tanner in Price, Utah and the couple married in Las Vegas on Sept. 7, 1957, and raised four children together. During his life he worked for the railroad and in the steel industry. After retiring, the family lived in Moab, Utah until the couple moved to Montana to be closer to family. Don was deeply loved by his family and all that knew him. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He will live forever in the hearts of his family. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Retha; brothers, Clarence, Calvin and Russell Ball; son, Richard Tanner; and granddaughter, Lisa Brisbin. Don is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Chinook; sons, Gary (Linda) Tanner of Havre, Lynn (Penny) Tanner of Menifee, Calif.; daughter, Shirley (Robert) Brisbin of Denver; brother, John Ball of Kerrville, Texas; 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Memorials in Don’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Fund, or to a person’s choice. The family has entrusted the care of their loved one to the care of Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook.
