EARLVILLE - John Earl Ballard, 78, of Earlville, passed away April 16, 2019 at his home.

According to John’s wishes there will be no services. Cremation rites were accorded to Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Earlville.

John was born July 18, 1940 in O’Kean, Ark. to Barney and Iva (Fuller) Ballard. He married Judy Bedford on Nov. 30, 1970 in Geneva.

Survivors include his wife of Earlville; three children, Russell Ballard of Texas, LaVonda (Jeff) Dolan of Naperville and Tracy (Mitzi) Ballard of Missouri; three step-children, Kathy (Eddie) Lovelace of North Carolina, Scott Buchanan of Yuma, Ariz. and Marla Buchanan of Madison, Wis.; 14 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Pat (Tom) White of Arkansas; one brother, Dick Ballard of Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter-in-law, Tracy Ballard; one sister, Bonnie Williams; one brother, Larry Ballard; one grandchild, Misti Smith; and one great-grandchild, Trevor Smith.

John retired from Henry Pratt in Aurora with over 20 years of service to them as a tool and die maker. After retiring he worked at Electric Materials of Earlville, where he was mentoring a worker to be their tool and die maker. He loved fishing, hunting, football, old western “John Wayne” movies and his dog, Bandit, who he called his “Baby.” Most of all he enjoyed eating out and spending time with his family.

For more information or to sign the online guest book, go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com.