Sandra Mae Ballard

Sandra Mae Ballard, 64 of Benton Harbor, went to be with the Lord when she died suddenly on May 9, 2007. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at Grace Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Road, St. Joseph at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Carl Pagel officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 11, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Memorials in her name may be made to Grace Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society. Sandra was born July 9, 1942 in Benton Harbor, to Herbert & Viola (Lentz) Schultz. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1960, and married her sweetheart, Max, on June 3, 1961 at Grace Lutheran Church. Together they raised three children. For 35 years, Sandra was the voice of Ballard Sewer Cleaning Service as she diligently helped her husband with their business. She loved spending time in the Baldwin area. Sandra delighted in feeding the birds and the deer that visited her, and she got great satisfaction from working in her rock garden. A devoted member of her church, she gave unselfishly of her time and talents. Survivors include her husband Max Ballard of Benton Harbor; her sons Michael (Kimberly) Ballard of Coloma and Kevin Ballard of West Chicago, IL; her daughter Shelley (Orville) Williams of Benton Harbor; five grandchildren – O.J. (Heather) Williams, Michael Nordhoff, Jacob Munson, Amber Ballard and Adam Ballard and her one beautiful great-granddaughter Kaydence Williams. Sandra was preceded in death by her mother and father, and by one great-grandson Christian Williams.