Marion Ann Ballard, age 92, died Saturday, April 26, at the Sandy Creek Nursing Center in Wayland.
Marion cherished her faith in Jesus and serving her Lord. She also deeply loved her family and as well as making a warm and welcoming home. She loved to cook, sew, be the best mom, grandma, and great-grandma, and sit at the lake watching her grandkids and great-grandkids play.
She was musically gifted, being able to play the piano (which she taught to each of her children), and was well known as “The Whistler” for her unique way of whistling wherever she went.
Later in life, she loved to live and travel in the motor home with the love of her life, Carl, visiting family in Florida and traveling throughout the United States. She and Carl enjoyed serving in Seniors On Wheels Ever Ready (Sowers Ministries), anywhere they traveled.
Marion is survived by her 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; brothers Adrian Cole and Richard Cole; sister, Lois Cole; sister-in-law, Lola Wyrick; and numerous extended relatives and friends.
Marion was preceded in death by her parents, Adrian and Frances Cole; daughter-in-law, Karen Ballard; brothers Roger Cole, Kenneth Cole; siblings-in-law Ivan Wyrick, Roy Ballard, Elmer Ballard, Theola Wyrick, and Mary Cole.
A memorial service celebrating Marion’s life will be held at noon Friday, May 2, at Moline Baptist Church, 4428 Chappel St., with visitation from 11 to 11:45 a.m. prior to the service.
In memory of Marion and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Moline Baptist Church.
