Elizabeth J. “Betty” Ballard, age 91, a life long resident of the Little
York community passed away at 10:10 pm on Friday May 1, 2020 at the
Monmouth Nursing Home. Betty was the fifth of seven children born to
Danish immigrants, Andrew and Laura Marie (Nielsen) Bertelsen on May 6,
1928 in Monmouth, Illinois. Betty was raised in Little York where she
attended Cedar Creek grade school and graduated from Little York High
School in 1946. Betty married Richard A. Ballard on December 28, 1946
after his return from service in World War II. Betty was a farm wife and
proudly raised six sons. She was also employed in sales at Patton
Hardware Store and, later, Martha Brown Ltd. Betty was baptized and
confirmed in the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth. She later became a
member of the Belmont and Little York Methodist Churches. She was also a
member of the Little York Farmerettes for over fifty years and was
active in their bazaars and dinner in support of Warren Achievement
School. Betty was also active in the Little Cedar United Presbyterian
Church and its LOGOS children’s program. She is survived by sons, John
(Betty) Ballard of Monmouth, Jim (Lolla) Ballard of Monmouth, Joe
(Donna) Ballard of Kirkwood, Jeff (Peggy) Ballard, Jay (Jean) Ballard
and daughter-in-law Rosie Ballard, sll of Little York. There are
nineteen grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, two great great
grandchildren surviving. Betty’s sister, Marty (Carl) Marklevitz of
Dorr, Michigan is also surviving. She is preceded in her death by her
parents, husband, son Gerald “Jerry”, three great grandsons and one
great granddaughter.
Friends may call anytime on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 to pay their respects
for Betty at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth. Social distancing and
the recommended guidelines by the CDC are to be observed. Her family
plans no time for family visitation. A memorial fund is being
established for Warren Achievement of Monmouth. Cremation will then be
accorded on Wednesday. A service for the interment of her ashes in
Little York Cemetery will then be planned at a later date.
