Joann Ball

JoAnn Boyer Ball passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2013. She was 84 years of age.

JoAnn was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, on Christmas Day of 1929. She attended school in Fort Scott, Paola, and Olathe, where she participated in choirs. She was graduated from Olathe High School in 1947. She met her husband, Cliff, in a Presbyterian Sunday School class. They were married in 1948 and celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 4, 2013.

JoAnn loved to read, especially early American history. She enjoyed fine music, was an accomplished singer and pianist, and encouraged her children to study music. A full time home maker, she dedicated her life to being a loving mother and grandmother, and a support to her husband in his 40 year career at Hallmark Cards. She was a life-long Presbyterian, and a member of Southminster Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village. She was a member of the Heart of America Carnival Glass Association.

Some of JoAnn's ancestors came to America from Ireland in the 1840s. She and Cliff twice visited that beautiful country, enjoying its history and scenery, and finding places where her forebears had lived.

She is survived by her husband, Clifford N. Ball of Olathe, and her five children, Neila Nelson of Wichita, Malissa Gould of Syracuse, Kansas, Twila Culver of Spring Hill, Mark Ball of Westwood, and Daniel Ball of Richmond, Missouri, seventeen grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, David A. Boyer of Atlanta, and by many nieces and nephews.

A visitation for friends and family will be Wednesday, January 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 14275 Blackbob Road in Olathe. The family will hold a private burial service at Olathe Memorial Cemetery. A public Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held Thursday, January 2 at 2 p.m. at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 63rd and Roe Avenue, in Prairie Village.

Gifts in JoAnn's memory may be made to Southminster Presbyterian Church, or to a charity of your choosing.