Roger L. Ball

Roger L. “Dutch” Ball, 76, of Rantoul, Kansas, passed away at his home on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 21, 2017, at the Ruhamah Baptist Church, Rantoul. Family will meet with friends from 6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M., Friday, January 20, 2017, at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Interment Ruhamah Cemetery, Rantoul, with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Roger was born Friday, August 23, 1940, in Wellsville, the son of Gerald and Elenor (Blackstone) Ball. He was a near lifelong Rantoul resident. He graduated from Drumright High School, Drumright, Oklahoma, with the class of 1958. Roger continued his education at Oklahoma State University receiving his associates in electronics in 1961. Roger served in the United States Army in the mid 1960s. Roger was united in marriage to Ramona Hubbard in 1968 in Rantoul. They later divorced. Survivors include his mother, Elenor Ball of Osawatomie; four children, Lora Marker of Topeka, Jason Ball and wife Kara of Princeton, Nathan Ball and wife Kelli of Williamsburg, and Wade Ball and wife Amy of Ottawa; four siblings, Merritt Ball and wife Sonja of Ottawa, Shirley Arnold and husband Jim of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Pat Landess and husband Richard of Rantoul, and Peg Johnson also of Rantoul; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Ball; grandson, Elijah Ball; and life partner, Ramona Ball. Roger was employed with IBEW #226 in Topeka for 50 years as a commercial journeyman working in many locations, retiring in 2003. He was a member and deacon of Ruhamah Baptist Church; member of the Topeka American Legion Post 58; and the National Rifle Association. Roger enjoyed hunting, target shooting, softball, reading, crossword puzzles, trivia, history, politics and was a handyman who was always fixing something. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. The family suggests memorial contributions to Ruhamah Baptist Church or Life Care Center of Osawatomie c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Roger’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com