Mike Ball

James Michael “Mike” Ball, a 61-year-old resident of rural Trenton, died on Sunday morning, April 26, 2015 at his home while under hospice care and the care of many wonderful friends, after a long battle with ALS.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday April 29, 2015 at the Hatton Chapel United Methodist Church, northwest of Trenton. Gregg Ratliff will officiate. Burial will be in Wild Cemetery, northwest of Spickard.
Family visitation will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at the Hatton Chapel United Methodist Church. Slater Funeral Home of Trenton is in charge of arrangements.
Mike Ball was born on Dec. 29, 1953 in Trenton, the fourth child of James Wendall and Estelle Ruth Stewart Ball. He was raised in Kansas City, KS and graduated from Washington High School in 1971 and was a 1973 graduate of Trenton Junior College.
He was married on Dec. 29, 1972 in Kansas City, KS to Susan Ruttan and they made their home and raised a family in the forks of the river on Route A for 39 years.
Mike worked in the automotive field for 37 years. After graduating from high school he worked with his father and uncle at Ball Brothers Service Station and later with Pettijohn’s Auto of Bethany.
Besides spending time with his family, he was a devoted member of Hatton Chapel United Methodist Church. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson with his wife and friends. He later got enjoyment riding and racing mountain bikes, along with riding bicycles with friends for fun. Every year he looked forward to deer hunting and mushroom hunting. He liked to mow the grass at their home. Mike and his wife enjoyed fabricating and restoring stained glass, including at the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library and several churches in the Green Hills area.
His survivors include his wife of 42 years, Sue of the home; one daughter, Tiffany James and her fiance, Tracy Otey of Olathe, KS; one son, Kristopher Ball of Gower and a daughter in-law, Brandy Ball of Smithville; three sisters, Janet Markel Ornburn and her husband, Lanny, Lartrel Ball Riggins and her husband, Larry and Debbie Ball; six grandchildren, Jordan and Jacob James and Ashley, Alexia, Zoe and Jackson Ball; one great-grandson, Travis Garms; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew, Sean Brents.
Memorial donations are suggested to the Wild Cemetery or the Hatton Chapel Church and they may be left at or mailed to the Slater Funeral Home in Trenton.
Online condolences may be left at www.slatersfuneralhome.com