Brad Ballard, 60

Brad K. Ballard, age 60, Nottawa, passed away Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 at his home following a short illness.  He was born in Sturgis on February 16, 1949,  a son of Murray and Wava M. (Parsons) Ballard. Brad attended Centreville High School. From 1968 until 1970 he served in the US Army and later in the National Guard. Brad worked as a corrections officer at the  St. Joseph County Sheriff Department in Centreville, and previously in the St. Joseph County Juvenile Division. Brad had also been a welder at Meijer Hydraulics and a truck driver for Shafer Distributing in Coldwater. Brad was a power parachute pilot and he enjoyed golfing at St. Joseph Valley Golf Club and fishing.
Surviving Brad are his daughters  Kari Ballard, Three Rivers, Skylar Ballard, Centreville, sons  Kaleb Ballard, Centreville, Jacob Ballard, Centreville, sister Anne (Doug) Matthes, Sturgis, brother Scott Ballard, Centreville and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Relatives and friends will be received Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Eley Funeral Home in Centreville, where Religious Services will be held Monday at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dave Peterson, Centreville Baptist Church, officiating.  Interment will be at Prairie River Cemetery in Centreville.  To help the family with expenses, memorial contributions may be made to Eley Funeral Home. On-line condolences may be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.