Charles J Ball

Born September 2, 1910 in Pekin to Charles F. and Minnie (Knigge) Ball, he married Edna F. Stringer on November 29, 1931. She died November 6, 1977.

He was also preceded in death by 1 son, Robert D. Ball; 1 daughter, Karen Sue Lieber; 3 sisters; and 4 brothers.

Surviving are 1 son, Dale Wayne (Wanda) Ball of Pekin; 1 daughter, Sandra (Dean) Fox of East Peoria; 11 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Charles last worked for Steger's Furniture in Pekin for 2 years. Previously, he had worked for Leath Furniture in Pekin for 4 years, Crown Transit in Springfield as a tour guide; owned B & W Furniture on Derby St. in Pekin for 20 years; and was head electrician at Keystone Steel and Wire Company in Bartonville for 19 years.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Pekin, where he belonged to the Men's Sunday School Class and the Men's Bible Study Group.

Charles was known in the community as a kind Christian man with a caring heart and a generous spirit, always encouraging others to "Keep Looking Up."

Charles was the organizer and first president of the Southside Business Association in Pekin and had been a member of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12, 2008at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. Rev. Mark D. Friday and Rev. Gregg Dykstra will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2008at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 700 S. Capitol St., Pekin, IL 61554.