Raymond Ball

raymond ball
Raymond D. Ball, age 77 of New Hampton, Iowa died Monday, June 14, 2010, at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 19, 2010, at Holy Family Parish - St. Joseph Center, New Hampton with Rev. John Barnes officiating. The pall will be placed by Ray's wife and children. Organist is Ann Bennett who will accompany Karen Schwickerath and the Holy Family Resurrection Choir. Lector for the service will be Roscoe McDonald. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Ray's grandchildren, Rayna Halverson, Heather Ball, Jammy Galligan and Melissa Jones. Eucharistic ministers will be Mary Wegner, Cindy and Larry Heying and Roscoe McDonald. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with Cliff Burgart, Reynold Burgart, Dave Anderson, Herb Neils, Chet Finnegan, and Virgil Munson. Honorary pallbearers will be Lawrence Jensen, William O'Neill, Gene Voss and Tom Felton. Full military honors will be conducted by the New Hampton American Legion Post #38 and V.F.W. Post 5238. Visitation will be 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 18, 2010, at Hugeback & Chenoweth Funeral Home, New Hampton where there will be a 4:00 p.m. rosary and 6:00 p.m. scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at church on Saturday. Raymond Duane Ball was born May 11, 1933, in New Hampton, IA, the son of William Leo and Irene Annetta (Munson) Ball. He attended St. Joseph Grade School and was a 1951 graduate of the New Hampton High School. He was inducted into the US Navy on December 16, 1952 and transferred to the reserves on March 4, 1957. On June 8, 1954, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in New Hampton he married Joan Parks. To this union three children were born. The couple initially lived in Cedar Falls while Ray attended the University of Northern Iowa and later graduated with a B.A. Degree and a teaching certificate. Ray and Joan moved to Tama where Ray taught for nine years as well as coached Little League, Baseball and Football. In 1970, they moved to New Hampton where Ray taught science for 28 years, retiring in 1995. While in New Hampton, Ray also coached football and baseball. Memberships included Holy Family Parish, formerly a member of the New Hampton Golf and Country Club and the Knights of Columbus. Ray enjoyed playing cards, was a huge Cubs fan and socializing with friends and family. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Joan; one daughter, Valerie Ball of Clive; one son, Thomas (Joannie) Ball of Bradenton, FL; four grandchildren, Rayna Halvorson, Jammy (Traci) Galligan, Melissa Jones and Heather Ball; three great-grandchildren, Cooper Rae Jones, Jared Galligan and Nick Kelly; four sisters, Carol (Reynold) Burgart, Marion (Cliff) Burgart, Sharon Messersmith, all of New Hampton and Judy (Darrel) Blake of Cedar Rapids; one brother, Gary (Terry) Ball of Harrison, TN; one son-in-law Harold Flatland of Cresco, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a daughter Susan Ball on November 29, 2006.

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  1. God Bless you and keep you during this sad time, may He remind you of all the goodness Ray brought to this world for so many people. May you find comfort in those things. I am thinking of you all and wish I could be there. I am sending my love and prayers and happy memories from here.

  2. Our deepest sympathy to all your family on the loss of Ray, he was a great person, and enjoyed being around him during (science class) and after high school, when we would all be around the area for the block party or over to the Anderson. He will truly be missed by all.

  3. Joan I am so sorry to hear about Ray. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. He was such a wonderful man – always wearing a smile!!!! He will be dearly missed!!! Please take care.

  4. Joan and family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. Ray was quite a guy, there for anyone who needed him, and loved by everyone who met him. He will be truly missed. He and Susan are together watching over you, and guiding you along your way. Listen, and you will here their voices, as this will help you to remember all the good times and memories you all shared together. Valerie and Patrick

  5. I’m so grateful for the time I spent with Ray a couple of years ago. We spent the time reminiscing and laughing. I’m so sorry for your loss, Joan.

  6. gary, sorry to hear about your brother ray passing. our sympathies to you and teri and your family. also thanks for thinkling of us as dad passed away recently. all of our thoughts and prayers are with you. dan and roxanne

  7. Gary, Terry & Courtney, Just wanted you to know, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I know your family has been through so much this year. May God hold you close and give you comfort and love during this time. Warm Regards; Your Friend, Salina

  8. My thoughts and prayers are with your whole family. Mr. Ball was my favorite teacher and I always enjoyed talking with him thru the years when I would see him around town. He will be missed!!

  9. Joan & Family, We are very sorry to hear about Ray’s passing. He was one of the good guys! Whether it was Coach Ball aka ‘Chopper’, Mr. Ball the biology teacher or most recently as Rayna’s ‘Grandpa Ball’ you could always count on him being there, fair and consistent! Favorite saying of all time, with men on base, ‘Ya got ducks on the pond, y’er baby ducks – let’s bring’em in’ Take care, Todd & Krista

  10. Our sympathies to the Ball family. Ray was a great guy and will be truly missed. May you find comfort both in God and in all of your wonderful memories of Ray that you have! Deb and Marty Larsen

  11. My thoughts and prayers to the entire family. I enjoyed Coach Ball as a coach and a friend. You knew he really cared and was trying to make you better when he called you out as a ‘Knucklehead’. What a great guy!

  12. Joan and family, You have our deepest condolences for your loss. Ray was such a great guy and will be missed by many family and friends. Ray and Joe enjoyed many years of morning golf at the country club. God has blessed Ray by taking him home to be with Him in heaven. His earthly struggles are over and he is at peace. Take care of yourselves now as you have been caretakers for Ray for a long time. Joe and Sharon Haskovec

  13. To the entire Ball family: My sincere sympathy to all. I have great memories of Mr. Ball and our classroom. What a guy! He will be missed. May your memories bring you peace and healing. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

  14. Family of Ray Ball It is not a love lost but a gained beacause he was loved by all. Sarah ( Jones) Owen her husband Brain, Amy Fish Rabven,Koby from Cresco,IA.

  15. My deepest sympathies go out to the Ball family! Ray was an awesome guy and always greeted you with a friendly smile! Ray will be smiling down on the family now with Irene and Bill! He will always be treasured!

  16. Our deep sympathy to the Ball family. Ray was the football hero of the New Hampton Chickasaws in the 1950’s when my sister Susan and I were in high school. He was always a class act. His sister Carol was in our class.

  17. Joan & family – Our deepest sympathy to all your family on the loss of Ray. He was a very special person. Remember all the great memories you have of him. Time will help ease the pain that you are feeling right now. Know that he is in a better place.

  18. Joan & family, So sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort and strength in those around you to get through this difficult time. You two are such great neighbors to have grown up across the street from. I will always remember you Ray! Garth & Amy Bock, Gavin & Adam


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