BALL, Mary Bell - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Aunt Mary Ball, one of the oldest women of this community, well known and highly respected, after a long illness, passed away Sunday night at midnight, at the home of her son, Will Ball south of town. Her death was due to infirmities that come to the aged. Aunt Mary was the victim of a very painful and serious accident 12 years ago by which she suffered a fractured hip and which resulted in making her a permanent cripple and was conducive to her rapid decline, but through it all she bore her afflictions with patience and Christian fortitude. Her last illness covered a period of 7 weeks through which family relatives and neighbors did all they could to add to her comforts. Mary Jane Ball was the daughter of Thomas and Maherza Prior Ball (sic – Bell) and was born near Crawfordsville in this county Feb 25, 1845. She grew to young womanhood and more than 63 years ago she united in marriage with Benjamin Ball who preceded her in death almost a year ago. To this union 8 children were born two, Frank and James passing away in infancy – Uncle Ben and Aunt Mary as they have been affectionately known for many years went to housekeeping south of Waynetown soon after their marriage and they lived out their neighbors and friends. Aunt Mary passed away peacefully to that land of perpetual joys at the ripe old age of 79 years and 27 days. She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Hannah Switzer, southeast of this place; Mrs. Ella McCarty of New Market; Mrs. Charles Gegner of near Hillsboro; and three sons, William living south of town; John of Crawfordsville and Charles of near Hillsboro. There are also 26 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Ellen Atkinson of California and Mrs. Margaret Stone of Lafayette and a half-sister, Mrs. Etta Campbell also of Lafayette and other relatives and many friends. Aunt Mary Ball was a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a good neighbor and a true friend and has passed to her rich reward that was promised here in the future life. The funeral service was conducted Wednesday at 10:30 o’clock, conducted by Rev. Everett Nixon, of Kokomo, a son of the neighborhood south of town and close friend of the family. Interment took pace at the Masonic cemetery west of town.  - kbz