Kenneth E. "Kenny" Ballard, Sr. Obituary (1948 - 2018)

Kenneth E. "Kenny" Ballard, Sr., 70, of Ramsey, passed away Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. He was born February 17, 1948 in Vandalia, IL to the late Kenneth & Ella (Teter) Ballard. Kenny married Velma Saunders on January 21, 1967 in Ramsey and she survives. He always said that he and Velma were a team and this continued throughout their 51 years of marriage. Kenny's greatest joy in life came from spending time with his wife, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. Whether it be deer hunting with his son, taking everyone camping and fishing, or just watching them play, they were his world. Kenny lived his entire life in the Ramsey area and ran a filling station there for over 20 years. He was a member of Liberty Church in Bingham, Vandalia Masonic Lodge, and Shriners. He retired from the Department of Corrections as Supervisor of Garage Maintenance. Kenny enjoyed mowing his hay fields and could sit and watch his cows for hours. Along with his wife, Kenny is survived by his children: Kenneth E. (Deena) Ballard, Jr. of Effingham and Janie L. (Mike) Steele of Ramsey; grandsons: Kenny (Tiffany) Hollis & Travis Strobel; granddaughters: Samantha Strobel (boyfriend Wes), Rachel (Austin) Stokes, Danielle (Cody) Hadley, Megan (Eric) Plants, Sophia Ballard, Evie Ballard; 6 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way; and 1 brother & 2 sisters. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Burel Ballard and his father & mother-in-law, Alvin "Sonny" & Eva Jane Saunders. Funeral services for Kenny will be held Friday, June 22, 2018 in the First Baptist Church in Ramsey at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Harry Kirk & Pastor Glenn Sparks officiating. Burial will be in Ramsey Cemetery with Masonic Rites by Temperance Lodge #16 AF&AM, Vandalia. Visitation will be Friday from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service at the church. Memorials in Kenny's honor, and in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Liberty Church, County Road 275 E, Bingham, IL 62011.