Patrick was born Michael Andrew Nestor on May 29, 1954, in Cleveland, OH, to Andreas Kristiansen, a Norwegian sailor from Bømlo, Norway, and Maxine (Nestor) Moulton. At nine months old, he was adopted by Ronald and Elaine Ball of Auburn, IN.
He graduated from DeKalb High School in 1972 and from DePauw University in 1976 with a degree in Economics, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. Before his career as a commercial property assessor, he worked for the family business, Ball Brass & Aluminum Foundry. He lived and worked in Indianapolis, IN, for many years before returning to Auburn, IN.
Patrick enjoyed sailing and boating at the family lake house. In recent years, he reconnected with his paternal family in Norway.
He is survived by his sister, Jennifer (Michael) Fahlsing of Huntington, IN; his companion, Margaret Felton of Auburn, IN; his stepfather, Dr. Clifford J. Shultz; his uncles and aunts, Johannes (Ruth) Kristiansen, Bjarne Kristiansen, and Kjellaug Kristiansen; his nieces and nephews, James (Jennifer) Goble of Decatur, IN, Leslie (Michael) Cryderman of Scottsdale, AZ, Andrew (Kathleen) Fahlsing of Fort Wayne, IN, and Stephanie (Lucas) Wilken of Forreston, IL; nine great-nieces and great-nephews; a great-great-niece; a great-great-nephew; and numerous cousins in the United States and Norway.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald Ball and Elaine (Hollihan) Shultz; his stepmother, Wilma J. (Pence) Ball; his biological parents, Andreas Kristiansen and Maxine (Nestor) Moulton; his uncles and aunts, Kristian and June Christiansen, Harald Kristiansen, Oddbjørg Kristiansen, Ellen and Helmer Stølen, Birgit and Olaf Porsedal, and Olaug and Harald Sørfonn; his half-sister, Susan King; his half-brother, Robert Nestor; and his great-niece, Maya Wilken.
A memorial gathering will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at D.O. McComb & Sons Pine Valley Funeral Home, 1320 E. Dupont Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825, followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Charities North Region Office, 107 W. 5th Street, Auburn, IN 46706.
