Ronald Dale Ball

Ronald "Ronnie" Dale Ball, 84, died peacefully April 22, 2024, at the Crestline Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, after a short illness. He was born in Crestline, Ohio, September 13, 1939, to the late Evert and Bertha (Harris) Ball. Ronnie was the last born of 12 Ball children. He had 8 sisters and 3 brothers, who preceded him in death. If you grew up in Crestline, you knew (or heard stories about) the Ball family. He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda (Don) Miller and granddaughter, Olivia Miller as well as many nephews and nieces. He is also survived by his nieces, Pam Jourdan and Lissy Merker; and nephew Larry Glauer. They have always said Ronnie was more like a brother than an uncle and they were all very special to him.

It's hard to tell the life story of a character like Ronnie Ball. He was born and raised on the South Side of Crestline, where he made lifelong friends. Those friendships helped to shape the man he would become. In the end, when his memory failed him a bit, he could still remember every last word of that South Side song they made up as kids.
During his time at Crestline High School, he was a very good athlete and member of championship teams. If you asked him, he would let you know he was the best second baseman Crestline has ever seen.

After high school, he started his career as a Lineman for Ohio Edison and spent many years keeping the lights on. Advice we live by in our house; if the lights flicker three times, the power is going off. After he left Ohio Edison, he worked for the Crestline Water Department. He would roll that window down in the service truck and yell at anybody outside. His final job was working on the maintenance crew at Cedar Point. If they needed a camera placed on top of a rollercoaster, he was the only guy who wasn't afraid to climb the 200 feet up and place the camera. On the side, he started a peanut business, Nuts by Bally. He loved to cook, and his food was always delicious.

When he wasn't working, Ronnie loved to listen to the Cleveland Indians on the radio. Pitchers and catchers were his three favorite words each February. He loved spending time with his buddy Baker, fishing at Walton Lake with a lantern and a cooler. So many wonderful memories were made with the Baker family.

He believed if you had a gift, you should leave it for others. He had the most beautiful singing voice and taught himself to play the guitar but could never read music. He sang in the Men's Choir at St. Joseph and played guitar mass. He and Teen also started a bible school for the young children at St. Joseph while parents went to mass. He was active in the Cursillo movement through St. Joseph, visited prisons and attended many retreats to be of service to the church. Ronnie also coached the 7-8th grade basketball team at St. Joseph. If nothing else, just beat St. Pete's! He also volunteered his time coaching Crestline JV basketball teams. His shining gift was humor. He could tell jokes like no other. And he was quick. He was always the life of the party and a friend to so many. If you're taking the time to read this, he touched your life in some
way too.

Special thank you to the lovely, hardworking people at the Crestline Nursing Home, especially his dear friend Deb. You are all appreciated. Ronnie loved being in your care.

Calling hours will be held at Crestline St. Joseph Church 331 N Thoman Street, Crestline on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 1:00pm - 2:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial to follow. Internment will be at Greenlawn Cemetery following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Crestline Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 327 W. Main St., Crestline, OH 44827.

Those wishing to share a memory of Ronnie or send condolences to the Ball family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.

The Mark A. Schneider Gompf Funeral Home, 223 West Main St., Crestline, is honored to serve the family of Ronald "Ronnie" Dale Ball.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald Dale Ball, please visit our floral store.