Submitted by
Loyd Bishop

John H. Ball was born September 14th, 1855 in Cincinnati, Appanoose County, Iowa, and died April 11th 1908 at 9:45 PM after severe illness of ten weeks.
His health had been rapidly for falling several months previous to that and all remedial agencies seemed to fail to give relief. He was a man possessed of high ideals and keen sensibillities, enjoying the beat of nature and art, in music and literature.
His quick emotion and sympathy made him a royal friend, and appreciative neighbor, and tender and loving to the dear ones of his home.
He came here that he might be able to minister by his presence and help to the comfort of his aged mother who recently preceded him to the better land.
When he first became so ill as to keep his room he said "This may be my final sickness and we must be resigned if it is so. I would like to live for my loved ones but if I can not be well I would rather go."
Later he said "I have made mistakes in life but am trusting in a merciful God and feel sure he will save every penitent one who calls upon him and that I will meet you all in the Spirit world."
On Wednesday and before his death he seemed stronger talked for several hours. He said "Love is all there is in life and Rockefeller with his millions could not purchase the loving care I have had. "How good God has been to me and how precious are his gifts. I am trusting in the faith in which my mother lived and died; I feel it is all right. I am at peace with God and man. Now sing me some of the sweet old hymns; you know I always loved sacred music."
His favorite hymns were "Lead kindly light" and "Abide with me." He used to play the grand old hymns by the hour for the dear mother.
Just before going into what proved to be his last sleep, his sister repeated the benediction-"The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace," he responded "Sister, He has, He will."
His resignation, his patient fortitude under the severest pain and his loving thought of those about him made the sick chamber seem like the very gateway to heaven.
The closest relatives left behind are his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Ball, his sister, Mrs.John R. May, a half sister Mrs. Annie E. Norwood of Nelson, Nebraska, and a daughter, Mrs. E. C.Spurck, living at Kilda, Montana, and cousins Frank and Walter Limbocker of Tonkawa and Arkansas City.

"Love helps us to bear with the trouble; It helps is to stand in the strife;
It brightens the skies For the sorrowing eyes,
And lightens the burden of life. It makes the rose bloom in the desert,
And brings down the dew on the sod, And tempests they beat
And the pathway is sweet With the roses and lilies of God."

Funeral services were conducted at the M.E. church, Rev. E. B. Cole its pastor reading 1 Cor. 15 chapter of the glorious hope of the resurrection, and offering the prayer.

[Blackwell Sun - April 16, 1908 carried this same article]