Donald Ballance

COBDEN, Ill. -- Donald Dean Ballance, 76, of Cobden died suddenly Saturday, Aug. 20, 2005, at his home.

He was born July 4, 1929, at Wolf Lake, Ill., son of Louie E. and Gustia Lowe Ballance. He and Faye Lamer were married Dec. 8, 1950, in Murphysboro, Ill. She died Aug. 22, 2000.

Ballance was a graduate of Wolf Lake High School, worked for the railroad, and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He returned to Cobden where he received an associate degree in electronics. He later owned and operated a hardware and television repair store. He then was an electrician at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, from where he retired.

Ballance was a member of First Presbyterian Church, American Legion Post 259, Village of Cobden Planning Board, Lions Club, all in Cobden, and Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455 in Anna, Ill.

He was a promoter of and instrumental in the building of Cobden Park. During the past few years he helped in the management of Big Muddy River Hunting Club with his nephew, Dennis Ballance.

Survivors include a brother, Eugene Ballance of Anna; three sisters, Peggy Schwartz of Makanda, Ill., Elizabeth Tweedy and K