Allan Bernhart Ball, 87, of Muscatine, passed away on Friday, September 9, 2022, at Bickford of Muscatine.
Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at Our Savior Lutheran Church. Reverend Jeffrey Pautz will officiate. A private family burial will take place in Klein Cemetery. Military services will be conducted by the Honor Guard of Muscatine City Inc. Pallbearers will be Derek Martz, Darrin Martz, John Ernst III, Joseph Ernst, Bob McCleary, Michael Henson. Honorary pallbearers will be Alexis Sanchez, Krystol Martz, Dakotah Martz, Erin Schepis, Benjamin Jepson, Brittany LaFollett, Kayla Ross, Elizabeth Lysaught, Tyler Carter, Larry Ballenger, Nancy Ballenger, and Jay Ballenger.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Our Savior Children’s Department, 2611 Lucas Street Muscatine, Iowa, 52761, Children’s Miracle Network, 200 Hawkins Drive Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, or Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca, 3271 Sandy Beach Road, NE Solon, Iowa, 52333.
The Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Allan was born on March 6, 1935, on a farm in Bennett, the son of Ben Ball and Alvina Utesch Ball. He married Kathryn ‘Katie’ Ballenger on November 19, 1955, at Zion Lutheran Church, Wilton.
Allan attended Lutheran Parochial School then completed his GED in 1975, in Muscatine. He helped raise five children (four daughters and one son), worked as a farmer for most of his life transitioning to GPC working swing shift for 30 plus years until his retirement in the maintenance department. Allan went on to earn his real estate license in 1981 and worked as a team with his wife, Katie, for numerous years.
He and his wife were Charter Members of Our Savior Lutheran Church having served as an Elder and Handyman for various projects. He was an avid card club player. On many early mornings you would find him hopping in his boat for a fishing expedition down the Mississippi River to his favorite spots. If you have ever driven by the homestead around Christmas, you would be able to see the light show in advance and then gaze upon the large Christmas tree displayed in the front window. He loved having company, hosting fish fry dinners, and showing off his many projects on the property, including the beautiful flower garden and the landscaping that he enjoyed doing throughout the year.
Those left to honor his memory include his children, Patricia Henson and husband, Michael, Susan McCleary and husband, Bob, Debra Ball, Rebecca Ernst and husband, John, and James Ball; eight grandchildren, Erin Henson Schepis, Kayla Ross, Derek and Darrin Martz, Benjamin Jepson and Brittany LaFollett, John Ernst III and Joseph Ernst; seven great grandchildren, Tyler, Logan and Madison Schepis, Ilka Ross, Alexis Sanchez, Krystol and Dakotah Martz; one brother Richard Ball and wife, Flo; sister-in-law, Arnette Ball; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Katie, on August 28, 2019; six siblings, Carl Ball, Elmer Ball, Harvey Ball, Frances Ball, Ruth Schwartz, and Elnora Whitmore; three sisters-in-law, Lenora Ball, Anne Ball and Margaret Ball; and brother-in-law, Calvin Schwartz and Harold ‘Bud’ Whitmer.
