Carl Wesley Ballard

Carl enjoyed hunting and spending time outdoors boating and camping. He worked for over 30 years at Irwin Seating Company and had many friendships develop from his time there. Carl deeply loved his faith and his family and cherished time spent with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at their home on the lake and winters spent in Florida with his grandchildren who lived there. Carl enjoyed U of M football, Tigers baseball, and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing sports. He enjoyed many vacations in the RV traveling all over the United States doing Sowers projects. Carl proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was also known for his wonderful, yet dry sense of humor – always looking for a chuckle.

Carl is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marion Ballard; children Douglas Ballard, Dawn (Billy) Chavis, Donna (Barry) Felten, Barb (Jonathan) Schaefer, Janece (Tom) Shelton, Christine (Raymond) Passchier; grandchildren Jeff Ballard, Steve (Alicia) Ballard, Mandy (William) Walker, Justin (Misty) Chavis, Jeremy (Desirae) Chavis, Jordan (Danielle) Chavis, Ian (Lauren) Felten, Colin (Hailey) Felten, Maddy Felten, Seth (Janel) Schaefer, Kathryn (Andrew) VanDerMeer, Kyle (Esther) Schaefer, Rae Lynne (Kody) Walker, Sarah (Tyler) Artzer, Hannah Shelton, Anneliese Passchier, Lillian Passchier; 17 great-grandchildren; sister, Lola Wyrick; and numerous extended relatives and friends. Carl is preceded in death by his parents George and Hazel Ballard; daughter-in-law, Karen Ballard; brother-in-law, Ivan Wyrick; and siblings Roy Ballard, Elmer Ballard, and Theola Wyrick.

A funeral service celebrating Carl’s life will be held at noon on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at Moline Baptist Church (where he attended since age three), 4428 Chappel St., Moline, MI 49335, with visitation from 11-11:45 a.m. prior to the service. In memory of Carl and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Moline Baptist Church. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.kubiakcookwayland.com in Carl’s online guestbook.