Ballenger, Lloyd

BALLENGER, THOMPSON, BRAAFHART

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2005 at 19:42:01

Funeral services for Lloyd Ballenger, 68, of Pella were held January 25 at the Trinity Reformed Church in Pella, the Rev. Norman J. Schouten officiated and Rev. Chris Piersma assisted. Music was provided by organist Mrs. Karen Bokhoven and soloist Mrs. Jennifer Schuring. Ushers were his "Fellow road-runners of Ulrich Motor Company". Honorary bearers were "nephews"- Dwight Teeter, Dustin Teeter, Jimmie Teeter, Josh Ballenger, Luke Ballenger, Roger Dahlin, Randy Dahlin, Brad Braafhart, Brett Braafhart, and Ben Braafhart.

Jimmie Lloyd Ballenger was born on September 10, 1934 in Oskaloosa. He was the first of three children that were born to George Hunter and Margaret Geraldine Thompson Ballenger. Lloyd, as he was known, attended the Lincoln Grade School and graduated from Pella Public High School in Pella with the class of 1953. One of his childhood memories he often shared was when a helicopter flew over Oskaloosa dropping little loaves of Wonder Bread for the children. Lloyd was a gifted athlete and during high school he lettered four years in football, basketball and baseball. Following his graduation, Lloyd served an enlistment with the U.S. Navy. On

September 10, 1956 he and Mary Jane Braafhart were united in marriage at the Second Reformed church in Pella. Lloyd and Mary had two daughters, Julie Ann who was born on May 6, 1961 and Amy Beth who was born on November 28, 1965.

During this time Lloyd accomplished one of his goals when he enrolled in the School of Engineering at Iowa State University in Ames. He completed this course of study in May of 1962. Lloyd and Mary lived in Bennington, Vermont for 3 1/2 years then returned to Pella where they lived the remainder of their life. Lloyd was employed at the Rolscreen Company for 31 years and retired in November of 1996 as a manager for the Pella Corporation. Following his retirement, he assumed his role as a devoted grandfather. Then most recently he became a part-time employee at Ulrich Motor Company.

He was doing just that when he became seriously ill and passed away very unexpectedly Wednesday afternoon, January 22 on arrival at the Pella Regional Health Center.

He was affiliated with the Second Reformed Church of Pella and had most recently been attending Trinity Reformed Church. He was a member of the Van Veen-Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89; the Pella Masonic Lodge No. 55 A.F. & A.M.; the Shrine; and the University of Iowa 1 Club.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Jane; their two daughters: Julie A. and her husband, Walt Chambers of Ellerslie, Georgia; Amy B. and her husband, Jim De Jong of Pella; and two very special grandchildren: Jenna and Jordan. Of his original family, Lloyd leaves his sister, Effie Kelene and her husband, Larry Simmons of Oskaloosa; his brother, Michael Earl Ballenger and his wife, Tricia (Steward) of Pella; a sister-in-law, Darlene (Braafhart) and her husband, Robert Dahlin of Pella; and a brother-in-law, Harry Braafhart, Jr. and his wife, Mary (Kane) of Pleasant Hill

He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law, Gladys Gail (Jarmin) Braafhart and his father-in-law, Harry Braafhart, Sr.

Arrangements were handled by Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella.

Memorials may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc. or the Trinity Reformed Church of Pella.

The Pella Chronicle, February 7, 2003