Ronald “RB” E. Ballard

12/19/1940 –

12/19/2010

Bernard T. Meiners, 95 of Coon Rapids, died Monday, September 1, 2025 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids surrounded by his family.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham. The Celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm, assisted by Deacon Louis Meiners. Music will be by Jane Heithoff and the St. Joseph’s Choir. Lector for the Funeral Mass will be Jill Klein. Gift Bearers will be Talina Haskins, Caitlin ThongVahn, and Amanda Meiners. Casket Bearers will be Brian Meiners, Ben Meiners, Aaron Meiners, Lucas Meiners, Jason Nees, Mike Nees, Ryan Schultes, Tyler Schultes, Jordan Schultes, Justin Meiners, and Trenton Meiners. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Dedham with military honors conducted by the Dedham American Legion.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a rosary at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to St. Joseph’s Church on Friday morning where additional visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for a later designation.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Bernard’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Ron Ballard, age 70, of Carroll, died early Sunday morning, December 19, 2010 at his residence in Carroll following a brief battle with lung cancer.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at St. Lawrence Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Schott, assisted by Ron’s brother-in-law, Deacon Monty Montagne. Lector will be Nancy Ballard. Gift Bearers will be Ron’s grandchildren: Nick, Megan, Andy, Kymme, Brandon, Abby, Grace, and Tyler. Eucharistic Ministers will be Joan Thompson and Kathy Montagne. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Ron’s brothers and sisters: Dave Ballard, Lee Ballard, Keith Ballard, Joyce Kehe and Sheila Hentges. Casket Bearers will be Ron’s sons: Dan Ballard, Mark Ballard, Kurt Ballard; Ron’s son-in-law, Kevin Bohac; and Ron’s brothers: Bob Ballard and Jim Ballard. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with military honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 3:30 p.m., Tuesday where there will be a rosary at 4 p.m., followed by a Christian wake service at 7 p.m., led by Deacon Monty Montagne. Online condolences may be left for Ron’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born on October 8, 1940, at LeMars, Iowa, Ronald Edward Ballard was the son of Bert and Charlotte (Graff) Ballard. He grew up on a farm near Granville, Iowa and helped his family with their farm operation. Ron attended school in Granville through the 12th grade. Following his schooling he served in the United States Air Force from 1961 until he was honorably discharged in 1965. Ron returned to Granville and worked at the Granville elevator where he met his wife Jean. He was married to Jean Klein on February 10, 1968 at St. Joseph Church in Granville, Iowa. Following their marriage Ron and Jean moved to Carroll where Ron worked for UPS as a Semi Feeder Driver for over 30 years, retiring in 2003. RB thoroughly enjoyed his retirement years going fishing, going to the casino, socializing at Kerps, but most of all being involved in his children’s and his grandchildren’s lives. Ron was a member of the UPS Teamsters, Carroll American Legion, Maurice Dunn Post # 7, and St. Lawrence Parish.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Ballard of Carroll; his children: Christy Bohac and her husband Kevin of Carroll, Dan Ballard and his wife Amy of Sioux City, Mark Ballard and his wife Kristi of Overland Park, Kansas, and Kurt Ballard and his wife Brenda of Urbandale; 8 grandchildren: Nick, Megan, Andy, Kym, Brandon, Abby, Grace and Tyler; his sisters and brothers: Joyce (Butch) Kehe of Waverly, Bob (Linda) Ballard of Denison, Dave (Connie) Ballard of Las Vegas, Nevada, Lee (Nancy) Ballard of Omaha, Nebraska, Sheila (George) Hentges of Martinez, Georgia, Keith (Kathy) Ballard of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Jim (Lora) Ballard of Omaha, Nebraska; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Joan Thompson and her friend Paul Timmons of Des Moines, Mary (Lou) Pattan of Wood River, Illinois, and Monty (Kathy) Montagne of Council Bluffs, as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents; and a grandson, Bryce Bohac in February 2009.

Church Service

Friday, September 5, 2025 10:30 a.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
420 3rd Ave, Dedham, IA 51440

Burial

Sharp Funeral Home ~ Carroll, Iowa

226 W. 8th St., Carroll, IA, 51401

712-792-4301

[email protected]

https://www.sharpfuneral.com

Church Service

Thursday, September 4, 2025
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Sharp Funeral Home – Carroll
226 W. 8th St, Carroll, IA 50401

Friday, September 5, 2025
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
420 3rd Ave, Dedham, IA 51440

Obituary

Born March 31, 1930, he was the son of Bernard and Catherine (Rotert) Meiners. He grew up in the Dedham-Willey area and graduated from St. Mary’s School in Willey in 1943. He entered the U.S. Army July 8, 1953 and was stationed at Wurzburg, Germany. He was discharged on May 20, 1955.

Bernard married Dolores S. Halbur on January 24, 1956 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Halbur. After being married Bernard and Dolores lived 3 miles north of Dedham for two years. In 1958, they moved to the farm they purchased four miles east of Dedham. They were the parents of six children: Daniel, Dale, David, Cathleen, Christine, and Gary. Dolores passed away January 21, 1978.

On August 9, 1980, Bernard married Marita Eickman at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids. In May 2011, Bernard and Marita moved off the farm into the town of Coon Rapids, Iowa. They made their home there for 14 years. In April 2025, they moved to Parkview Assisted Living in Coon Rapids, Iowa.

During Bernard’s lifetime, he farmed, had a dairy operation, had a cow/calf operation, and raised hogs. He retired in 1992. He is a current member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Dedham, a member of the Dedham American Legion Post #20, and a member of the Manning VFW. In July 2001 Bernard, being a Korean Veteran, had the privilege to go on the Military Honor Flight to Washington DC. Just recently he was presented with a Quilt of Valor at Thomas Rest Haven, and at the age of 95 he still enjoyed attending the Legion meetings.

Bernard loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Holiday gatherings were a treat for him to get to see most of them at one time. In his spare time Bernard enjoyed gathering black walnuts in the fall and kept busy shelling the walnuts during the winter. Family and friends benefited from the fruits of his labor.

Bernard is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marita Meiners; his children, Dale (Mary) Meiners of Carroll, David (Jane) Meiners of Varna, IL, Cathleen (Larry) Nees of Coon Rapids, Christine (Mark) Schultes of Dedham, and Gary (Barb) Meiners of Manson; 19 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren with 2 more coming in October; a brother Anthony (Colleen) Meiners of Carroll; 2 sisters, Catherine Wittrock of Carroll and Marcella Naberhaus of Carroll; his sisters-in-laws, Margaret (Tom) Denker of Manning, and Pat (Joe) Goblirsch of Jesup. He is also survived by Marita’s children, Richard (Sandy) Eickman of Omaha, NE, James (Joni) Eickman of Dyer, TN, Dave (Joan) Eickman of Macungie, PA, Randy (Rose) Eickman of Coon Rapids, Nancy Eickman and Jim Springer of Warren, NJ, and Karen Heck of Delano, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

Bernard was preceded in death by his first wife Dolores S. Meiners; a son Daniel J. Meiners; Marita’s son Bill Eickman; his parents Bernard and Catherine Meiners; his brothers John (Margaret) Meiners, Albert (Frances) Meiners; his brothers-in-law Clarence Wittrock, Norbert Naberhaus, Cletus (Emaline) Halbur, Norman (Inez) Halbur, Larry (JoAnn) Halbur; his brother-in-law, William (Marie) Halbur; Dolores’ parents, William and Frances Halbur, and stepmother-in-law, Josephine Halbur.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Bernard T. Meiners, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Tribute Wall

We had so many good times with Ronnie when he was stationed at Castle AFB, CA. ~ I will cherish all the memories and I wish to express my deep sorrow for your loss. He came back to see us a few times and unfortunately the last time we didn't get to see him and meet you Jean. Thanks for helping make his life so awesome. Like Judy said earlier, keep in touch and if we ever get to Iowa, we'll look you all up and if any of the Ballard's come to CA we'd love to meet you and our welcome mat is always out. God Bless you all. Love n hugs, Julia

Julia (Maxfield) Heitman – December 28 2010 at 9:35 PM

My heart goes out to you Jean and your family. Ronnie was such a big part of our life, and he will be missed greatly. I hope you will stay in touch, and if you ever get back to California, you and your family are always welcome. Ronnie was like a brother to me and my family. Love and Prayers, The Maxfield Family

Judy (Maxfield) Van Atta – December 27 2010 at 7:24 PM

Jean and family, My deepest sympathy to all of you. Dale really enjoyed his years of working with Ron. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thinking of you.

Roberta Gergen – December 24 2010 at 10:54 AM

Hi Jean and family, I wanted to offer my condolences on the death of Uncle Ron. I remember when you lived in Granville after you were first married, and I used to babysit Christy. I always enjoyed visiting with you and Ron, and am sure he will be missed. Our sympathy to your family.

Linda Bunkers Kennedy – December 23 2010 at 5:22 PM

Jean and family, My condolences to you and your family. I always remember when you and Ron were first married, and lived in Granville, and I used to babysit for Christy. I always enjoyed babysitting for you, and really enjoyed visiting with Uncle Ron. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Linda Bunkers Kennedy – December 23 2010 at 5:08 PM

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