Jon Alan Ball

Jon Alan Ball of Poynette, WI passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at the age of 61.

Jon was born on January 13, 1955 in Albion, NE to James and Betty (Stevenson) Ball. As a small child, he and his family resided in St. Edward, NE before moving to Shelton in March 1962. He graduated Shelton Public High School in May 1973, and was united in marriage to Deborah Alyce Pember on August 18, 1973 at the Shelton United Methodist Church. Shortly after, Jon began working as an engineer for Rockwell International in Kearney. Together they raised two daughters, Kari and Jenny.

Over the years, Jons career took him and his family to Crystal Lake, IL; Sulphur Springs, TX; Lake Zurich, IL; and finally, Poynette, WI, where he spent the past 17 years working as the Director of Manufacturing Engineering at Milwaukee Valve Company in Prairie Du Sac. His job involved many overseas business trips including, but not limited to, Germany, Northern Italy, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Although he enjoyed traveling the world, he never looked forward to those long plane rides and that dang Chinese food!!

Being an engineer, Jon was very resourceful when it came to fixing things around the house. After a project was complete, you had to ask yourself the following: 1) Is it safe? 2) How many spare parts are left over? 3) How much Gorilla Glue was involved?

Jon loved the outdoors. If he wasnt constantly cutting the grass, Jon was busy building a bonfire. He would tell you, The key to building a great bonfire is to Never Stop Moving! Jon enjoyed snowmobiling, ATV riding, kite flying, and fishing. He had fond memories of fishing the waters of Lake Michigan, Manion Lake in Canada, and the Florida Keys.

Jon was a sports enthusiast and enjoyed watching the Chicago Bulls, White Sox, NASCAR and in recent years (much to his daughters surprise) jumped on the Green Bay Packers fan bus! However, if you knew Jon, you know nothing even came close to competing with his Nebraska Cornhuskers. To say he was passionate about the boys in red and white would be an understatement. Jon proudly wore his game gear not only on Football Saturdays, but most any weekend. As the saying goes, Jon was born, bred and bled Husker Red!

Jon is survived by his daughter Kari (Demetri) Pavlatos and grandson Jonathan Jonny Pavlatos of Chicago, IL, daughter Jenny Hedman (John Hickey) of Monroe, OH; mother Betty Ball of Shelton, NE; sisters Raye Ann (Ken) Stenehjem of Omaha, NE, Linda (Tom) Polcha of Phoenix, AZ, Lori (Alan) Cornelius of Shelton, NE; sisters-in-law Denise (George) Packard of New Braunfels, TX, Diana (Keith) Williams of Elkhorn, NE, Dawn (John) Herrmann of Kearney, NE; several aunts, numerous cousins, a niece, and a handful of nephews, as well as his dear friends at Milwaukee Valve Company, friends in the states of Nebraska and Wisconsin, and his newfound love, Kristen Kris Baker of Poynette, WI.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 40 years Deborah; father James Jim Ball; and niece Celeste Webben, as well as several uncles, aunts and cousins.

Services will be Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Shelton United Methodist Church in Shelton, NE. Jon had long-standing friendships, commitments and loyalties in both Nebraska and Wisconsin. Therefore, at the conclusion of the service, Jon will be cremated to allow his spirit to remain in both states. Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends and family are welcome to attend A Celebration of Life at Remis Thirsty Mouse, N3135 County Road V, Poynette, WI on Saturday, November 19, 2016 from 1-4 p.m. Huskers game gear is REQUIRED.

Memorials are suggested to the family, as they wish to distribute a portion of the funds among several organizations dear to Jons heart, including The Friends of Shelton Cemetery and the Trails & Rails Museum in Kearney, NE.

May his memory be eternal.