Obituary of Diane Ballard

Diane K. Ballard, 65, of Winthrop Harbor, IL died on Monday, October 7, 2013 at home surrounded by her family. She was born February 4, 1948 in Waukegan, IL, was raised in Gurnee, IL, and spent her married life living in Waukegan. She graduated from Warren Township High School in 1966 and earned her Associate Degree from Spencerian College in Milwaukee, WI. On September 27, 1968 she married Dewey Wayne Ballard at Milburn Congregational Church in Milburn, IL. She worked as a legal secretary for 42 years in Waukegan and Long Grove, IL and finished her career at a law firm in Chicago. Diane enjoyed cross stitching, reading, was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, and loved her family in Red Bay, AL. Survivors include her husband of 45 years Dewey Wayne Ballard; children Jennifer McDonough of Kenosha, WI and Joseph (Melissa) Ballard of Zion, IL; two granddaughters Kaileigh Ann and JoLia Ballard; two sisters Lynn Geier of Lake Villa, IL and Sharon (Doug) Murphy of Okeechobee, FL; two sisters-in-law JoAnn (Phillip) Ray of Tremont, MS and Katherine (Paul) Solberg of Red Bay, AL; and four nieces. She was preceded in death by her father and mother Joseph and Dorothy Geier. Visitation will be Thursday, October 10, 2013, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 11th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Congdon Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association, or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.