Glen Edward "Eddie" Ball, Jr.

Glen Edward “Eddie” Ball, Jr., 86, of McPherson, KS, passed away on Thursday, November 22, 2018, surrounded by family at The Cedars, McPherson.

He was born in Wichita, Kansas, on August 8, 1932, the son of Glen E. and Okema (Wrenchey) Ball. Glen worked as a funeral director in Wichita and the family moved to McPherson in l945 to open a new funeral home. It became known as Ball & Son Funeral Home in 1955 when Eddie joined his father in the business. Glen and Eddie shared ownership of the firm until Glen’s death in l981. Eddie continued to run the business as the primary Funeral Director and Embalmer, until he sold the firm in 1996. He continued to work part-time at the funeral home for the next several years.

Eddie graduated from McPherson High School in 1950, where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He was co-captain of the football team along with his good friend, Gene Smith. Eddie later graduated from McPherson College in l954 and from the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1955.

Eddie served his country in the U.S. Navy Reserve (Seabees) from l950 to 1960 and was honorably discharged at the rank of Builder 1st Class.

Eddie married Kathleen A. Russell on April 4, 1954, in McPherson. This union was blessed with two children, Jana and Sam. In 1982, he married Margaret A. “Peg” (Hobson) Ford. She had two children, Cris and Angie. Eddie later married Peggy (Martin) Stroup on October 10, 1993, in McPherson.

Eddie was a member of First United Methodist Church, American Legion Post #24, V.F.W. Post #2715 Men’s Auxiliary, Kansas Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Masonic Lodge #172, Salina Scottish Rite, Isis Shrine, McPherson Shrine Club, Royal Order of Jesters, Court #94, McPherson I.O.O.F., McPherson Noon Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber Ambassadors. He served on numerous boards including the United Way, McPherson Family Y.M.C.A., McPherson U.S.D. 418, McPherson Hospital, McPherson Country Club, and McPherson Public Library. Additionally, he coached Babe Ruth Baseball and had been Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop l3l.

Survivors include: his wife, Peggy of the home; daughter, Jana Koehn (Raydean) of McPherson, KS; son, Sam Ball of McPherson, KS; three grandchildren, Aaron Koehn (Rachel) of McPherson, KS, Alex Koehn (Emily) of Galva, KS, and Sam Ball, II, of Fayetteville, NC; four great-grandchildren, Eddie & Zoey Koehn and Aubrey & Logan Koehn; step-daughter, Kim Wells (Brad) of Lenexa, KS; step-son, Brad Stroup (Angie) of Lenexa, KS; four step-grandchildren, Kristin & Josh Wells and Carly & Sara Stroup.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The visitation will be held from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday, November 28, 2018, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be at 10:30 AM, Thursday, November 29, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Karen Rice Ratzlaff officiating. Burial will follow at McPherson Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be given to First United Methodist Church, McPherson College, or the McPherson Shrine Club Children’s Hospital Travel Fund in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 N. Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Glen Edward "Eddie" Ball, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.