Muriel (Merle) Ballard, 19 May 1919 – 29 January, 2011

BALLARD, SMITH, RODGERS, PARSONS, BIERSCHENK, HELLER, DHONDT, GAHRING

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 2/4/2011 at 20:36:57

Muriel (Merle) Ballard was born on May 19, 1919, near Warrensburg, Missouri, the daughter of James and Nettie Rodgers Smith. When she was still young, she moved with her family to Iowa County, Iowa, where she lived the rest of her life. Muriel married Dale Donald Ballard on January 31, 1940 in Marengo, Iowa.

Muriel was a member of the North English Methodist Church and several card clubs. She enjoyed gardening, fishing, quilting and caring for her grandchildren. She was also an excellent cook. She became a resident of the English Valley Care Center in North English in May 2007.

Muriel died on Saturday, January 29, 2011, at the age of 91 years, 7 months, and 26 days.

She is survived by her children Billy (Kathie) Ballard of Marengo, IA; Joyce (Steve) Parsons of Conroy, IA; five grandchildren: Barb Ballard, Billy (Kelsey) Ballard, Jennifer (Cary) Bierschenk, David (Susan) Parsons, and Becky (Kevin) Parsons; nine grandchildren: Blake and Lisa Heller, Kyle Dhondt, Zach and Ally Bierschenk, Sidney Ballard, Cassie, Samantha and Aaron Parsons; 2 great great grandchildren: Maddex and Easton Heller. Muriel was preceded in death by her parents, an infant twin brother, an infant son Donald Ballard, husband Dale in January 2004, a sister Florence Gahring, and four brothers: Clarence, Lewis, Bob and Francis Smith.

Celebration of Life services for Muriel (Merle) Ballard will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at the Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North English. Pastor Michelle Williamson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 PM to 7PM on Monday, January 31, 2011, at the funeral home. Interment: February 01, 2011 at Millersburg Cemetery, Millersburg, IA.

A memorial fund has been established for the North English First Responders, the Iowa County Ambulance Service/ Marengo Memorial Hospital and the North English United Methodist Church.

Memorials and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.

Powell Funeral Homes, Williamsburg Journal Tribune, Feb 3, 2011, Pg 9, The Gazette, 31 Jan 2011, 8A