Irma Lee Ballard, 91, of rural Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Wabash General Hospital.  Irma was born the daughter of Robert H. “Harry” and Ida Marie (Fearheiley) Windes on June 25, 1929 in Mount Carmel.   She married Leonard W. “Bill” Ballard on February 11, 1949 in Allendale, Illinois and together they enjoyed sixty-eight years of marriage before his passing on April 24, 2017. 

Irma was a 1947 graduate of Mount Carmel High School where she enjoyed being a vocalist for the Campus Cadets, a big band organization.  Irma loved to sing.  She was a member of Bellmont Christian Church where she sang in the gospel trio. She enjoyed being involved with the youth of the Church, especially Vacation Bible School.  In her spare time, she took up tatting, a form of lace making.  Irma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  Cooking holiday meals for her family and playing games with her grandchildren were among her favorite things to do.  Irma was sincerely loved by her family and friends and will be dearly missed.

Irma leaves behind her four sons, Mark Ballard and wife Lana of Mount Vernon, IL, James Ballard and wife Tammy of Albion, IL, Daniel Ballard and wife Debra of Knoxville, TN, and Philip Ballard and wife Ada of Mount Carmel; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Irma was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Ballard; parents, Harry and Marie Windes; three siblings, Jean Fischer, Helen Clevenger and infant brother, Robert “Buddy” Windes.    

Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Bethel Cemetery with Pastor David Shain officiating. 

Memorial contributions may be made in Irma’s memory to Bethel Cemetery or Wabash Rally Against Cancer, (WRAC) and will be accepted at the Graveside or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.

Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements.  To view Irma’s tribute wall, purchase flowers and leave condolences for the Ballard family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com