Cecil "Tike" D. Ballard

Cecil “Tike” Ballard, 96, passed away Friday, April 14, 2023 after a courageous year long battle with cancer. He was born March 15, 1927 in Ankeny, Iowa to parents Frank and Erma Ballard. Tike grew up with his three older brothers, Gerald “Jetter”, Orville “Bub” and Duane “Stoney” and younger sister, Naomi “June”. A lifelong resident of Ankeny, he graduated from Ankeny High School in 1947. Tike served proudly during WWII in the Pacific as a Navy Seabee. He was a dedicated 75 year member of the American Legion in Ankeny.

After the war, Tike and Carole Ann Hildreth, his high school sweetheart, were married on August 31, 1949 and were blessed with 65 years of marriage. Together they raised their three children, Julie, Diane and Kirk.

Tike was a Boy Scout Leader, teaching lifelong lessons to his scouts on various camping trips including canoeing the Boundary Waters. He was a master of all things “knots”.

Tike was in business with his dad and brothers at F.L. Ballard & Sons Feed until 1960. He then proudly opened and operated Ballard’s Phillips 66 until his retirement in 1992.

Tike, Carole and their family never missed a summer of vacationing at their family cabins at Lake Washburn near Outing, Minnesota. He was a snowmobile enthusiast, loved boating on his SeaRay “Tike’s Toy” and they especially enjoyed being part of their son, Kirk’s, motorcycle racing pit crew (including a trip to Germany where Kirk represented the United States in an international motorcycle event). Tike and Carole also loved attending all their grandchildren’s events and playing cards. His recent leisure activity was playing Fast Track.

Tike lived a wonderfully BIG life and was eternally optimistic. His cup was never just half full, it was always brimming over the top. An amazing man….so welcoming, so generous, so kind.

Tike and his loving partner, Judy Hilt, have completely enjoyed their life together these past seven years in so many ways. They had a wonderful time taking their families on cruises, traveling to Florida and Texas, spending summers at the cabin up North and then heading out west to Yellowstone. It took 4 years “to get his ass over the pass” from Red Lodge to Cook City, Montana.

Tike leaves a legacy of family traditions which include churning homemade ice cream, Papa’s BBQ chicken and making an endless supply of pancakes and waffles. Going out to eat was Tike’s passion and no distance was too far. He never met a homemade pie he didn’t like.

Tike was preceded in death by his wife, Carole and his son, Kirk. He is survived by his daughters, Julie (Bob) Shelquist, Diane (Keith) Petterson, Nancy Tutor (Kirk’s fiancé); “Papa’s” grandchildren, Katy (Justin) Loutsch, Lindsay (Ken) Norland, Courtney (Kiel) Huston, Ryan (Tasha) Petterson, Meredith (Reed) Weston and Sarah-Rose Ballard; and 13 great-grandchildren. Tike is also survived by Judy and her entire family who became such an important part of his life.

The Celebration of Tike’s life will be held on Monday April 24, 2023 with visitation at

9:30 am followed by services at 11:00 am at the Ankeny First United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Ankeny Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mission Cancer Foundation or American Legion Albaugh-McGovern Post #42.