Junior C. Ballinger, 84, of Marion, died early Saturday morning, July 26, 2008, at the home of his son.
He was born on Nov. 23, 1923, in Marion, the son of the late Forest and Wildia O. (Cassel) Ballinger.
Aside from his years spent in the United States Air Force during World War II, Junior has lived in the Marion community his entire life. He was a member of the Marion Harding Class of 1941 where he served as their vice president and was active in the planning of class reunions. The remaining members are a close group and they tried to have breakfast together once a month.
After his honorable discharge from the service, Junior married Marian "Nancy" Ballinger on May 27, 1944, in Marion. This union and friendship lasted 62 years until her passing on June 14, 2006.
He and Nancy were also members of the First Church of the Brethren where he served in various capacities, including Sunday school teacher and life deacon.
Junior was self-employed as a contractor, operating under the business name of Rieger Construction and later becoming Ballinger Paint and Glass.
More recently he began working as the curator for the Henry True Trust and the Stengal True Museum. While curator was his official title, Junior was also head of maintenance and tour guide. Most importantly he held the green thumb for the operation, meticulously taking care of the flowers. You may remember him on the corner of East Church and South State streets watering the flowers in his motorized wheel chair.
He was a member of the Olde Towne Marion Committee, the Marion Chamber of Commerce and the Marion Rotary Club. Junior also was a active member of the YMCA.
As a man, Junior raised his children with Christian values and the importance of generosity. He was always there to take in a stranger in need. It was said, "Dad's door was always open and so was his pocketbook."
He will be missed by his five, children G. Kay (John) Reinoehl of Waterloo, Ind., Steven C. (Peggy) Ballinger of Orlando, Fla., David F. (Lisa) Ballinger of Kirtland, Rex R. (Jean) of Marion, and James C. Ballinger of Delaware; 15 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Howard (Eldonna) Ballinger of Marion, Donald Ballinger of Portland, Ore., and Larry (Cynthia) Ballinger of Marion; and two sisters, Betty Reidenbaugh of Marion and Peggy (Bill) Kidwell of Greenville.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Ray and Thomas Ballinger.
He was born on Nov. 23, 1923, in Marion, the son of the late Forest and Wildia O. (Cassel) Ballinger.
Aside from his years spent in the United States Air Force during World War II, Junior has lived in the Marion community his entire life. He was a member of the Marion Harding Class of 1941 where he served as their vice president and was active in the planning of class reunions. The remaining members are a close group and they tried to have breakfast together once a month.
After his honorable discharge from the service, Junior married Marian "Nancy" Ballinger on May 27, 1944, in Marion. This union and friendship lasted 62 years until her passing on June 14, 2006.
He and Nancy were also members of the First Church of the Brethren where he served in various capacities, including Sunday school teacher and life deacon.
Junior was self-employed as a contractor, operating under the business name of Rieger Construction and later becoming Ballinger Paint and Glass.
More recently he began working as the curator for the Henry True Trust and the Stengal True Museum. While curator was his official title, Junior was also head of maintenance and tour guide. Most importantly he held the green thumb for the operation, meticulously taking care of the flowers. You may remember him on the corner of East Church and South State streets watering the flowers in his motorized wheel chair.
He was a member of the Olde Towne Marion Committee, the Marion Chamber of Commerce and the Marion Rotary Club. Junior also was a active member of the YMCA.
As a man, Junior raised his children with Christian values and the importance of generosity. He was always there to take in a stranger in need. It was said, "Dad's door was always open and so was his pocketbook."
He will be missed by his five, children G. Kay (John) Reinoehl of Waterloo, Ind., Steven C. (Peggy) Ballinger of Orlando, Fla., David F. (Lisa) Ballinger of Kirtland, Rex R. (Jean) of Marion, and James C. Ballinger of Delaware; 15 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Howard (Eldonna) Ballinger of Marion, Donald Ballinger of Portland, Ore., and Larry (Cynthia) Ballinger of Marion; and two sisters, Betty Reidenbaugh of Marion and Peggy (Bill) Kidwell of Greenville.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Ray and Thomas Ballinger.
Junior C. Ballinger, 84, of Marion, died early Saturday morning, July 26, 2008, at the home of his son.
He was born on Nov. 23, 1923, in Marion, the son of the late Forest and Wildia O. (Cassel) Ballinger.
Aside from his years spent in the United States Air Force during World War II, Junior has lived in the Marion community his entire life. He was a member of the Marion Harding Class of 1941 where he served as their vice president and was active in the planning of class reunions. The remaining members are a close group and they tried to have breakfast together once a month.
After his honorable discharge from the service, Junior married Marian "Nancy" Ballinger on May 27, 1944, in Marion. This union and friendship lasted 62 years until her passing on June 14, 2006.
He and Nancy were also members of the First Church of the Brethren where he served in various capacities, including Sunday school teacher and life deacon.
Junior was self-employed as a contractor, operating under the business name of Rieger Construction and later becoming Ballinger Paint and Glass.
More recently he began working as the curator for the Henry True Trust and the Stengal True Museum. While curator was his official title, Junior was also head of maintenance and tour guide. Most importantly he held the green thumb for the operation, meticulously taking care of the flowers. You may remember him on the corner of East Church and South State streets watering the flowers in his motorized wheel chair.
He was a member of the Olde Towne Marion Committee, the Marion Chamber of Commerce and the Marion Rotary Club. Junior also was a active member of the YMCA.
As a man, Junior raised his children with Christian values and the importance of generosity. He was always there to take in a stranger in need. It was said, "Dad's door was always open and so was his pocketbook."
He will be missed by his five, children G. Kay (John) Reinoehl of Waterloo, Ind., Steven C. (Peggy) Ballinger of Orlando, Fla., David F. (Lisa) Ballinger of Kirtland, Rex R. (Jean) of Marion, and James C. Ballinger of Delaware; 15 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Howard (Eldonna) Ballinger of Marion, Donald Ballinger of Portland, Ore., and Larry (Cynthia) Ballinger of Marion; and two sisters, Betty Reidenbaugh of Marion and Peggy (Bill) Kidwell of Greenville.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Ray and Thomas Ballinger.
He was born on Nov. 23, 1923, in Marion, the son of the late Forest and Wildia O. (Cassel) Ballinger.
Aside from his years spent in the United States Air Force during World War II, Junior has lived in the Marion community his entire life. He was a member of the Marion Harding Class of 1941 where he served as their vice president and was active in the planning of class reunions. The remaining members are a close group and they tried to have breakfast together once a month.
After his honorable discharge from the service, Junior married Marian "Nancy" Ballinger on May 27, 1944, in Marion. This union and friendship lasted 62 years until her passing on June 14, 2006.
He and Nancy were also members of the First Church of the Brethren where he served in various capacities, including Sunday school teacher and life deacon.
Junior was self-employed as a contractor, operating under the business name of Rieger Construction and later becoming Ballinger Paint and Glass.
More recently he began working as the curator for the Henry True Trust and the Stengal True Museum. While curator was his official title, Junior was also head of maintenance and tour guide. Most importantly he held the green thumb for the operation, meticulously taking care of the flowers. You may remember him on the corner of East Church and South State streets watering the flowers in his motorized wheel chair.
He was a member of the Olde Towne Marion Committee, the Marion Chamber of Commerce and the Marion Rotary Club. Junior also was a active member of the YMCA.
As a man, Junior raised his children with Christian values and the importance of generosity. He was always there to take in a stranger in need. It was said, "Dad's door was always open and so was his pocketbook."
He will be missed by his five, children G. Kay (John) Reinoehl of Waterloo, Ind., Steven C. (Peggy) Ballinger of Orlando, Fla., David F. (Lisa) Ballinger of Kirtland, Rex R. (Jean) of Marion, and James C. Ballinger of Delaware; 15 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Howard (Eldonna) Ballinger of Marion, Donald Ballinger of Portland, Ore., and Larry (Cynthia) Ballinger of Marion; and two sisters, Betty Reidenbaugh of Marion and Peggy (Bill) Kidwell of Greenville.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Ray and Thomas Ballinger.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
