James “Jim” Earl Ball passed away at home after a long battle with COPD on May 26, 2025. He was born the son of Duane & Louise (Phillips) Ball on July 31, 1944, in Black River Falls, WI. Jim entered the US Army at the age of 17 in the fall of 1961, serving until 1964, where he earned his GED. Most of his tour was in Germany during the Berlin Crisis. He started in the motor pool, specialized in demolitions, and achieved SPC E4. Jim returned home to the Clinton area in the Fall of 1964. He married Carol Kohlweiss on June 12, 1965, in Beloit, WI. They purchased their home on Turtle Creek in the Spring of 1967, where they would raise their family and reside for the rest of his life. In 1969 he started working as a machinist, later becoming Lead Tool and Die, for Fairbanks Morse until 1986, when a back injury forced him into early retirement. Jim loved nature and teaching his children and grandchildren about wilderness survival and how to care for all of God’s critters. He helped many orphaned and injured animals over the years, including bunnies, squirrels, birds, and raccoons. After his retirement he spent many hours learning about Native American arts, stone carving, silversmithing, and making arrowheads and other primitive tools. Along with his wife Carol, he had many “Part Time” children and grandchildren. They would always open their home to kids that needed a little extra love.  Their little house became a safe and loving home to many.

He is survived by his wife Carol, sisters Jeanette Shores and Mary Luther, daughter Brenda (Glenn) Smith and sons Michael, Mark and Matthew (Vicki) Ball, grandchildren Jennifer (Doug) Whalen, Kyle (Tara) Ball, Evan Ball, Casey (Haley) Ball, Britt (Ari) Bault, Hannah (Ted) Suda and Christy Smith, great grandkids Beckett & Berkleigh Ball, Ruby & Akira Suda, Hollan Bault and Hunter Whalen, many nieces, nephews and “Part Time kids”.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers David & Dennis Ball, in-laws Art & Mildred Kohlweiss, Dwight Shores, Ron & Barb Kohlweiss, and Marlene Tijerina, and dear friend Jim Bomar.

The family wishes a Special thanks to those that have been so much help in the past year; Beloit Reginal Hospice, Nurse Lisa, and Chaplain Mark, as well as special friends Ron & Kay Wildenberg, Tracy Kohlweiss, Marge Martin, Katie Cuddy, Kailey J., Helene Bomar, Renee Lynch, Brenda Behl, and Jodi Bates.

Jim’s Funeral Service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday May 30, 2025, in the Brian Mark Funeral Home, 504 Milwaukee Road, Clinton, WI with Chaplain Mark Maxted officiating. Friends will be received on Friday in the funeral home from 12 Noon until the time of service. Following Jim’s service, Full Military Burial Rites will be accorded in the funeral home parking lot. Burial will be private in the Turtleville Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared on our website.