Condolence: We in the SC community are all going to miss the quiet big man that John was. My wife and I are going to miss my friend.

Condolence: It is with a broken heart that we grieve for the family left behind. Hope you find comfort knowing that our Lord now walks with John in peace.

Condolence: John had such a gentle and loving heart, He will be missed.

Condolence: I am sincerely sorry for your loss. Know that your family are in my prayers. Losing those we love is so difficult. May you find peace. Victoria Smith

Condolence: I’m sending sincere condolences to his family John was a great man . I met John through East Liverpool city schools he trained me as a bus driver and yes I was a pain in his backside loved him dearly, He will be truly missed. May he always Rest In Peace Sincerely Mary Ollis

Condolence: When I was a little guy, I watched my cousins, John and Hal Ball, march in the ELHS band. Hal marched the tuba although a reed player in concert band if I remember correctly. John Ball marched the bass drum. But it was not an ordinary drum. John’s drum twirled! I was amazed that he could twirl it at the right frequency to hit the head in beat for the band. I remember thinking “I want to be like my cousins”. Johnny came home from Viet Nam in time for Christmas sporting a new-fangled device, one of the earliest camcorders I had ever seen. He decided that he would film me launching my Estes model rockets. I warned him that it would launch really, really fast. The film is more a recording of John’s laughing at the situation as he frantically panned the sky after launch looking for the rocket. I thought, I want to be like him, laughing and smiling through it all. I got to work along side John at our grandfather’s, Popo’s, service station. He enjoyed fixing the cars and interacting with anyone who came into the station. It was John’s social interaction that I admired; I wanted to be like Johnny! Through the years he and I had other get togethers. Through all the hardships, his smile and the twinkle in his eye was always there. I hope that I can be like Johnny! Rest in peace, ‘cous’, as your sister Joanne always referred to us. We will miss you. The heavenly band now has a twirling bass drummer.