Howard Edward Ballein

Born on July 12, 1934 in Hillsboro, Ohio to Jack and Martha, Howard was the oldest of nine siblings. He spent his youth working for local farmers alongside his father and brothers.

Originally intending to become a veterinarian, Howard studied animal science at Ohio State University. It is during this time that he met his wife, Vivian (Doughty). On their first date they went ice skating, where he immediately slipped and fell. It was a longstanding joke amongst friends and family that Viv swept him off his feet from the first time they met. They married in 1954.

To support himself through college, Howard worked at the OSU Long’s bookstore. It is here where he discovered a love for the book business and in 1960, Howard and Viv together opened the Student Book Store, known as SBS, in East Lansing. Over the years SBS grew, along with the university and their family.

In addition to working tirelessly at the bookstore, Howard dedicated a countless number of hours to the community, serving on boards, committees, and commissions including the Parkwood YMCA Board, People’s Church, East Lansing Planning Commission, Crime Stoppers Commission, and East Lansing Downtown Development Authority. He was the president of the Michigan Association of College Stores and a very highly respected leader in his field. In 2004 Howard and Vivian were recipients of the Lansing Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Small Business Award, and in 2005 he received the East Lansing Crystal Award for his service to the community, and Howard graciously accepted these accolades, but he never took the credit solely for himself and would insist on extending these honors to include his family.

Even with Howard’s vast involvement with the business and community, his family was always most important. He will forever be remembered for his Sunday evening flank steak family dinners, boat rides on Lake Lansing, fishing with his sons, family vacations to Canada and the Caribbean, his infectious laugh, and twinkling blue eyes. To his family, friends and employees, his door was always open. He never turned anyone away, no matter how busy he was, always offering a listening ear. He was a mentor to hundreds and a friend to all.

Together with Viv, they were generous supporters of Michigan State University and huge Spartan fans. They attended MSU football, basketball, and hockey games and tournaments for years and bled green in spite of their Ohio roots.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife Vivian Ballein; his children, Pamela, Bradley (Cindy), Gregory (Michele), and Tracy; his grandchildren, Ryan (Brittney), Jason, Nicholas, and Grace. His brothers Floyd(Sam) , John(Loretta), Donald, and David, and many Nieces, Nephews and cousins.

Howard is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, and his son Jeffrey.

Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, October 28th, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Riverview Church, 1115 S. Washington Ave., Lansing, MI 48910

The family would like to collect any stories or memories of Howard that you would like to share. Please send these to [email protected].

Importantly, the family would like to thank the staff at the Willows of Okemos for their wonderful care of Howard over the past few years and throughout the pandemic where they made it possible for the family to Zoom with him every day.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Howard’s memory can be made to the Michigan State, Spartan Fund, 550 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823.