Bill Ballard

2 March 2021

Dad and me at Busch Stadium enjoying a doubleheader between the Royals and Cards, summer of 2019. Royals won the first game. Cards won the second. Dad’s whistle was in rare form during that first game.

joyce caldwell

13 February 2021

DEAR SWEET UNCLE VERN.....we will miss your smile till we meet again.....but you are surely lighting up Heaven.....you have left us with so many sweet memories NEVER to be foorgotten......you shared Jesus love with so many and such a great warrior for your Lord......WE LOVE YOU FOREVER.....❤💙🎵🎶🎵🎶🕇

Patricia Donahue

18 January 2021

My deepest condolences to the Ballard family. My father, Bob Diehl, became friends with Vern while they were both living at McCrite. When my dad had to be moved to memory care in 2019 they continued to see each other and my parents attended Vern's Sunday service. On the day that my father passed away, Vern was with us in his room leading us in prayer around his bedside. He was also kind enough to speak at the graveside service at Floral Hills. I will never forget his compassion and kindness to our family, his wonderful smile and waving to him on his veranda when I parked at McCrite. May God give comfort to your family -
Patricia Donahue

Linda Shields

18 January 2021

Oh Dearest Lu & Family, I am just hearing this news. My Uncle passed on the 11th also. Seems Heaven is getting pretty full these days! I will always remember Verns constant Smile & Energy & willingness to teach others about our Saviour! May God Bless each of you in a mighty way.
Love & Respect,
Linda Shields
former Driver

Ruth Sublett

18 January 2021

I was blessed to be part of the youth group at Unity Roselawn (now First Baptist Church in Fairview Heights) while Rev Vern was youth director. He touched so many lives with his wonderful sense of humor, love of life and devotion to the youth of the church. He always wore a smile (sometimes mischievous smile), but he also knew how to be serious when it came to sharing his faith. He was also a great friend to my parents in their younger days (Jack and Dortha Denham) and I will always remember that he traveled back to Fairview Heights with Luella to minister my dad's funeral in 2010. Just his presence brought comfort to our family. Thank you Luella, Bill and Jan for sharing him through the years. My condolences to you and your families.

Linda Amos

17 January 2021

I met Vern when I was 15 years old and started attending First Baptist Church in Fairview Heights, IL. Some of my happiest memories were made with the youth group he led.

Vern was an encourager; he once told me I had leadership ability. He helped instill self confidence in me and I will always be grateful to him.

Bill Choat

17 January 2021

I have many fond memories with Vern Ballard while he was youth minister at Unity Roselawn Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church) in Fairview Heights, IL. He was always supportive and a positive influence. There are so many individual memories floating through my mind right now: times to laugh, times to cry, times to sing, and times to learn. I especially enjoyed Sunday night fellowships held after the evening service. Whether he was the head of a devotion, the leader of a song, or the target of a joke (moving his Volkswagon from its parking spot for example), Vern was always a devoted leader of our youth group.

Rick Schwartz

16 January 2021

In 1971 Vern was the youth pastor at a relatively conservative, large Southern Baptist church just outside St. Louis. Yet, he allowed (and encouraged) the youth group to take over a house on the church property and turn it into a "happening" coffeehouse for the teens, complete with drums and electric guitars. It was completely teen directed, with the group running the whole show. He defended us against those who thought we were turning the church into a Devil's Den, and for several years it became a beacon in the community for teens looking for something they knew was missing in their life. Many accepted Christ during that time, and in and around the coffeehouse. That ministry is still going on in the lives of hundreds of those who spent many a Friday/Saturday night grooving to the sounds of the beginning Jesus Music songs, and the preaching of the Gospel by their peers. And all because Vern was willing to take the Gospel that he loved and let others apply it in a way that made sense to them. Thank you, Vern.

Chris Piquard

16 January 2021

After I was discharged from the Army, in 1980, I was looking for a job in law enforcement. Uncle Vern was able to secure a spot for me to test for the Border Patrol at Scott Airforce Base. He and Aunt Lou invited me to spend the night with them the day before my test.
I arrived earlier in the day and we visited until bed time. Sometime in the middle of the night, I heard the house phone ring and Uncle Vern answered it. Apparently one of the members of his church had been admitted to the hospital so Uncle Vern, as their pastor, went to be with them in their time of need. Getting home later that morning but still early, he got ready and went to work at the Air base.
I always thought his dedication to his church and his job were exceptional. He was definitely an exceptional man.

Alice Anderson McKinzey

15 January 2021

My deepest condolences. I will never forget Rev Ballard. He baptized me. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I know he received a “well done thy good and faithful servant” Now go rest high on the mountain for your work on earth is done. I know I will see you again. May God give peace to you Mrs Ballard and Jan and Bill and all the family.

FROM THE FAMILY