Barbara J. Ball

Barbara Joy Ball, 93, of New Philadelphia, a kind and welcoming soul who always had a smile peacefully passed away on May 22, 2024 at Park Village Health Care Center at Dover, following a period of declining health.
 
Barbara was born on March 24, 1931 at Union Hospital in Dover, Ohio to the late Dallas Frederick and Mildred Joy (Hurst) Keiser.  

She graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1949 where she met and married James Lee Ball on May 25, 1952. They shared over 40 years together until his passing in 1993. As young newlyweds, she lived with her parents and brothers until Jim finished his service in the Marines, of which she was very proud. Barb and Jim built their first home nail by nail from a Craftsman kit ordered from the Sears catalog. They enjoyed traveling out west to visit family in Colorado, and later with the girls making trips south. They bowled in a league and often got together with friends to play cards.
 
Barbara dedicated the early years of her life working as a bookkeeper at Borden Dairy. She was the voice and face behind the mask of “Elsie the Cow” for Bordon’s local advertising. She later worked at Carlisle Insurance before retiring to fully embrace her role as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was always involved in PTA at school and was a 30-year member of the Ohio Child Conservation League (OCCL). She also loved babysitting her grandchildren. One could always find her beaming with pride while attending her family's activities as she never missed a family gathering or holiday. This was true even in her last months. She was a best friend to her daughters.

Outside of her professional career and family life, Barbara found joy in simple pleasures. She was an avid reader and played Bridge in her monthly card club. She also spent quality time with her lifelong high school and childhood friends, who she dearly loved. Up until age 91, after church she loved going to lunch with church friends. She was a longstanding member of the First United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia, where she had been baptized and worshipped since childhood. She was on the church Cradle Roll in 1932, and took part in Sunday School, Children’s Choir, and post high class, and was eventually married there by then Rev. Mansfield.

Barbara leaves behind cherished memories that will be forever treasured by her three daughters, Linda (Scott) Wendling of New Philadelphia, Debra (David) Pumphry of Strasburg and Susan Barr of Bolivar; her brother, Terry (Marilyn) Keiser of New Philadelphia; eight grandchildren, Hallie (Jeff) Moss, Cady Williams, Mitchell Williams, Sarah (Sam) Gergley, Ella Pumphry, Nicholas (Olivia) Barr, Cameron Barr and Aubrie Barr; five great-grandchildren, Avery Joy Moss, Grayson Barr, Everett Barr, Reese Gergley and Sonny Gergley. Numerous nieces and nephews complete her family locally and in California.
 
In addition to her parents and her husband, Barbara was preceded in death by an infant son, David, her brother, Keith Keiser, a sister-in-law, Beth Hupp Keiser, and niece, Jessica Keiser.
 
In keeping with her wishes, a private family visitation and cremation care are to be provided by the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A private burial, beside her husband, will take place this summer in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia.
 
The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the First United Methodist Church, 201 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or Crossroads Hospice Charitable Foundation, 10810 East 45th Street, Suite 300, Tulsa, OK 74146.