Thomas Ballance

Visitation: 4:00 PM on August 16, 2011 Funeral: 6:00 PM on August 16, 2011 Thomas Stephen "Steve" Ballance, 92, of Decatur, IL, died Saturday, August 13, 2011 in Decatur Memorial Hospital. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 16th at 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, 2827 N. Oakland Ave. with funeral service to follow at 6:00 p.m. The family suggests memorials to Central Christian Church, Millikin University, or Webster-Cantrell Hall, all in Decatur, Illinois. Steve was born April 28, 1919, in Pope Township, Fayette Co., Illinois, the son of Charles Ballance and Tamar Rilla Matheny Ballance. He married Frances Juanita Sublett on December 24, 1942 in Washington, Missouri. His mother died when he was an infant and he was raised by his Aunt Cora F. Ballance. Steve was owner and President of Jarvis Drilling, Inc. He was a prior partner of Somerset Oil, Inc., Somerset, Kentucky for over 30 years. Steve was a life member of the Stephen Decatur Lodge, a member of the Decatur Noon Kiwanis Club for over fifty years and a member of Central Christian Church for over fifty years where he served as Deacon for many years. He graduated from Vandalia High School and James Millikin University with a B.S. degree in accounting in 1941. Steve is survived by his wife of 68 ½ years Juanita; daughter Charlotte Ann Ballance; son-in-law Michael J. Klimas; granddaughters Katherine Cora Haussermann (Mrs. Adam) and Victoria Anne Ochoa (Mrs. Luis); great-grandchildren Cora and Sophie Haussermann, Thomas, Lillian, Alex, Christopher and Andrew Ochoa, and many nieces and nephews. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his aunt Cora Ballance, daughter Elizabeth Jane Klimas, granddaughter Rebecca Elizabeth Klimas, brother Clifford Ballance, sisters Gladys Day, Thelma Wyant, Verneille Bricker, and Genevieve Walker. Steve will be greatly missed by his family and loved ones. "
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