David Lee Ball, 88, passed away peacefully at home on May 21, 2025, after a brave fight with cancer. He spent his final days with the friends and family he loved dearly, especially his wife Joyce.
David was born in 1936 as the youngest son to Roland Sr. and Florence Ball in South Haven, Michigan. He learned a love of farming from his father while they lived and worked on fruit farms. Perhaps that is why pie was his favorite dessert. When given a menu, he would always choose the “Assorted Pies” – he loved to give people a reason to laugh!
David graduated from Kelloggsville High School in 1955 where he was a star athlete in football and baseball, was co-editor of the yearbook, and fell madly in love with Joyce Clevenger during Geometry class. Dave and Joyce married January 13, 1956. After initially taking a job with the electric company, Dave soon moved into farming. He loved fruit farming and being a farm manager. During those years, they added four children: Jeri, Art, Penny and Ellen. His next venture was to work for a steel servicing warehouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan, spent a short time owning his own Singer store in St. Louis, Michigan, and then a long career as a steel warehouse manager in Pennsylvania, then Wisconsin, and finally retiring to their own farm in Loyal, Wisconsin in 2002.
Dave’s many hobbies included sewing machine repair, flower gardening, woodworking, playing Cribbage and of course armchair coaching his Detroit Lions! More than any of those things, though, his life was always about people. He encouraged, instructed and adventured with his children over the years, cheered on his five grandchildren, loved on his six great grandchildren, became quick friends with the neighbors and made the people of his church his mission.
Dave will be missed dearly by his loving wife Joyce, his children Jeri (Tom) Otto, Penny (Bill) Hermann, Ellen (Todd) Lamping and his grandchildren: Nick (Alisa) Otto, Nate (Jillian) Otto, Xander Lamping, Colin (Jade Neuburg) Lamping and Paige Lamping.
He is survived by his brother Richard (Deloris) Ball, brother-in-law Carl Jay (Ruth) Clevenger and sister-in-law Janet (David) Coykendall as well as many loved nieces and nephews.
David was preceded in death by his son Arthur Ball, parents Roland Sr. and Florence Ball, brother and sister-in-law Roland Jr. (Millie) Ball, brother and sister-in-law Irv (Opal) Ball, sister-in-law June Ball and in-laws Carl and Luretta Clevenger.
The family would like to give special thanks to Compasses Home Health and Hospice Care for the great love shown to the family, especially Kylah, Cassie and Shannon. In addition, we thank our church family at Abbottsford Evangelical Free Church and Rembs Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Abby Free Church, Abbotsford with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service. Chaplain Randy Van De Loo will officiate. The service will be streamed at www.facebook.com/rembsfuneralhomes. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Due to allergies, contributions to Teamwork Africa (http://www.teamworkafrica.org/our-beginning) in lieu of flowers are appreciated.
Author: News Desk
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