James Leslie Ball Obituary
CPL. James Leslie Ball, Koren Ex-Pow, 92, of St. Joseph, MI passed away Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, MI.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday July 2, 2024 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Derek Snyder officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus, MI. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Monday, July 1, 2024 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Safe Harbor Church, 3552 S. Pipestone Rd., Sodus, MI 49126. Those wishing to share a memory of James online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
James was born January 17, 1932 in McHenry, KY to Isacc & Sudie (Renfrow) Ball. Corporal James Ball served his Country in the United States Army and was held as a prisoner of War after he was captured during the Korean war on November 26, 1950 and was held until his release on April 21, 1953. After his first wife Ora Lee Bowden passed away in 1999, James married Peggy Pratt in 2004. He worked for Gast Manufacturing for 32 years before his retirement. James was Past President of the Berrien Springs VFW where he had been a member for 17 years. He also served on the Lest We Forget Benton Harbor Chapter as well as an Honorary Member of the Rolling Thunder and Korean War EX-POW Association. James was a dedicated and faithful man who never met a stranger. He attended Safe Harbor Church in Sodus where he leaves behind many friends.
James is survived by his children Robert Ball, Sandra Ball and Deborah (Daniel) Briley, Debbie (Don) Pardon, Cindy (Gary) Snyder and Ronald “Skip” (D’Lisa) Pratt Jr.; grandchildren Shauna (Scott) Snow-Clark, Gary (Dawn) Snow Jr., Briann Ghidotti, Sarah (Jared) Overley, Molly Michael (James Hattey), Samantha Capovilla (Tyler Broglin) and Alyssa Briley, Elyshia (Christopher) Baggett, Casey (Todd) Johns, Chad (Mia) Pratt, Joshua Pratt, Travis Pratt, Cody Pratt, Kylie Pratt, Olivia Pratt, Ashlee (Johns) Sullivan, Derek (Madison) Snyder and Tyler Snyder; 30 great grandchildren; siblings Betty Boyd, Jack (Laura) Ball; Richard (Linda) Sliger and Thomas (Alma) Ball; half sister Ruth Daniels; son-in-law Brian Michael; brother-in-law OJ Roudebush; sister-in-law Tayna (Alvin) Rumbaugh; and special family Amy Revels.
James was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Ora Ball; second wife Peggy Ball; daughter Melinda Michael; siblings Eva Jean Hobbs, Charles Ball, and Nancy Elliot.
