Janet S. Ball

Janet S. Ball, age 88, of Lebanon, Ohio, passed away on Monday, September 22, 2025. Janet was born on September 16, 1937, in her grandmother's home in Bonny, Kentucky, the daughter of Elwood Carr and Mary Lucille (McGuire) Carr. A week later, her family returned to their home in Middletown, Ohio, where she spent her childhood and teenage years.

Graduating Middletown High School in 1955, Janet earned music scholarships to attend Transylvania University in Lexington, KY, where she played piano and bassoon in various ensembles and was active in Phi Mu sorority, serving as president her senior year. After substitute teaching for a year following college, she joined two other friends in New York City, working as a secretary for the Methodist world headquarters. Upon her father’s death, she returned to Ohio and began teaching K-8 music in the Dayton Public Schools. Following her daughter’s birth, Janet completed a master’s degree in education from Miami University of Ohio and earned post-graduate hours at the University of Cincinnati.

Throughout the years, she served as a church organist and choir director and played for many weddings, funerals, and special programs. In addition, she taught private piano lessons. After retiring from twenty-five years of teaching, Janet and her husband moved to Otterbein Retirement Community where she became involved in the music program and prayer shawl ministry, both knitting and delivering shawls to shut-ins. Over the years, Janet accompanied musical groups at Otterbein, including the women’s chorus and Trebleaires ensemble, as well as numerous soloists, and she played piano for weekly church services at Otterbein. For a number of years, she volunteered at the Used Book Depository at Montgomery Community Church. In her spare time, Janet enjoyed reading, solving word puzzles, and going on outings with her daughter.

A gentle woman of deep faith in Jesus Christ and the gift of salvation He alone offers, Janet lived a life of integrity, grace, and gratitude. She trusted in God during both good and difficult times.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hampton Ball; brother, William F. Carr; and niece Susan Saunier.

Janet is survived by her daughter, Karen Sue Ball; nieces Mary Carr, Nancy Mahoney, Anne Oliver, Jeannie Scholl, Linda Byrne, Nancy Rawlins; nephews William Carr, Thomas Ridenour; numerous great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and loving friends.

Janet was a beloved mother and a devoted wife and caregiver to her husband before his passing in 2016.

Graveside services and burial took place at Woodside Cemetery and were officiated by the Rev. Dennis Jones.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Otterbein Lebanon SeniorLife Community, 545 North State Route 741, Lebanon, OH, and will be open to all family and friends. Visitation will be take place one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Butler and Warren Counties, 5940 Longmeadow Drive, Middletown, OH 45005 or to the Otterbein Music Fund c/o Otterbein Community Church, 585 N. State Route 741, Lebanon, OH 45036.