Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home
98 W. Main St.
Norwalk, OH 44857
Phone: 419.663.4513
Fax: 419.663.6809
Cell Phone: 419.663.3504
Email: wehfh@eastmanfuneralhome.com
Website: https://www.eastmanfuneralhome.com/norwalk
View All Obituaries from Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home
Donna J. (Sayles) Ballard, 86, of Norwalk, Ohio, passed away Monday evening, February 2, 2015 at the Stein Hospice Care Center, Sandusky, Ohio.
She was born January 24, 1929 in Norwalk, Ohio, to the late Melvin D. and Grace E. (Sly) Sayles, and was a lifelong area resident.
Donna attended schools in Norwalk, Milan, and Monroeville, and graduated from Norwalk High School in 1947. Donna married her childhood sweetheart, David K. Ballard on May 16, 1949. Their marriage lasted for 48 years until the love of her life passed away suddenly in 1997.
She is survived by her children, Dave and Bonny Ballard, Jake and Janet Ballard, Debi and Don Helton, and Dawn and Mike Freeman. Donna was Grama and Nonny to 16 grandchildren, and GG to 25 great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Shirley Knoll, and Pat Bomar, by her brother in law, Sam Bomar, by her dear sister in law, Martha Berkley, and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, as well as her loving family of caregivers at Norwalk Memorial Home.
In addition to her parents, and her husband, Donna is preceded in death by her brothers, Davey and Kenny, and a granddaughter, Shane Elizabeth Helton.
She was a former employee of Norwalk Memorial Hospital, and Nobel's Shoe Store. In her later years, Donna enjoyed being a "flea marketer" and couldn't recall passing a garage sale sign without stopping. She spent many years at Jamie's Flea Market in South Amherst, and antique shops in Milan, and Norwalk, Ohio. She also worked with Ballard House Originals, Transitions Healthcare, and Dr. Charles Resseger's office. Donna was a member of the Norwalk First United Methodist Church, The Wesleyan Circle, The Ohio Historical Society, the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary, the Eagles, and Tops.
She and her husband were both very active in the original Shoestring Players of Norwalk, Ohio. Donna enjoyed traveling, camping, playing cards, and attending musicals and plays. She loved the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Browns, and THE Ohio State Buckeyes, but without a doubt, Donna enjoyed being in the company of good friends, and her loving family, more than anything.
Friends may call on Thursday, February 5, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Walker Funeral Home, 98 West Main Street, Norwalk, Ohio, where funeral services will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice Service, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio 44870, to the Norwalk Memorial Home Activity Fund, 272 Benedict Avenue, Norwalk, Ohio, to the Huron County Veterans Memorial Committee, 23 Pearl Street, Norwalk, Ohio 44857.
Online condolences may be made by going to www.edwalkerefuneralhome.com.
