Elton "Ray" Ball

Elton (Ray) Ball, age 85, of Auburn, Indiana, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at his home, surrounded by family.

Ray was born on July 26, 1939, in West Liberty, Kentucky, to Quincy and Mary (Keaton) Ball.

He married Betty (Springer) Ball on July 5, 1961. They have been married for 63 years. They have three sons and two daughters.

He retired from Bohn Aluminum in 2002, after 30 years of service.

Ray loved going to church and spending time with his church family in the house of the Lord. He was a member of Auburn Church of the Nazarene, and previously a member of Butler Church of the Nazarene.

Ray was a social butterfly who loved talking with people. He had never met a stranger and could quickly become everyone's new best friend. He loved going on car rides, eating at Arby's, watching Westerns and spending time with his family. He enjoyed collecting pocket knives, flashlights, and coins.

He enjoyed playing cards, especially Euchre and Skipbo, teaching all the kids and grandkids just as soon as they were old enough to hold the cards in their hands. He was also the one who taught all the kids and grandkids to tie their shoes. He had a special way of teaching that just made things click for everyone. He also enjoyed cooking peanut brittle during the holiday season with his wife for all their friends and family. In his younger days he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Betty. Also surviving are three sons, Jim (Babs) Ball, of Zephyrhills, Florida, Tracy (Becky) Ball, of Auburn and Randy (Sharon) Ball, of Garrett; and one daughter, Barb (Dean) Perry, of Garrett. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Jamie (Kate) Ball, of Kendallville, Jeremy (Ashton) Ball, of Decatur, Tiya (Dustin) Knipper, of Garrett, Jason Ball (Melodi), of Angola, Elizabeth (Dwight) McCreery, of Butler, Matthew Ball, of Angola, David (Donna) Ball, of Zephyrhills, Florida, Amy (Robert) Ball, of Angola, Tabitha (John) Borack, of Kendallville, Gabrielle (Codi) Ball, of Auburn, Brian Ball, of Garrett and Sarah (Chris) Johnston, of Auburn. Also surviving are 25 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, William "Bugs" (Jean) Ball, of Bluffton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Deborah Ball; one great-grandson, Dakoda Slone Jr.; two brothers, Logan Ball and Jesse Ball; and six sisters, Geneva Prater, Freida Springer, Annie Springer, Flora Wright, Dorothy Costello and Gail Dyer.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a funeral service starting at 1 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at Auburn Church of the Nazarene, 2310 N. Main St., Auburn.

The Rev. Doug Thomas will be officiating.

Burial will be held at Decatur Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Auburn Church of the Nazarene.

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