Donald W. Ballard 89 of DeKalb, died April 16, 2012 at DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center. He was born Aug 28, 1922 in Seattle, WA to Raymond Ballard and Miriam Belt.

Joined U.S. Navy during WWII in 1941 initially as enlisted navigator/photo intelligence and survived a crash into the sea off Koli Point, Guadalcanal. Later flew as one of the original enlisted pilots; field commissioned and flew as B-24 pilot until 1946; also flew 160 missions to Vietnam as a commercial pilot with Continental Airlines under a Military Airlift Command contract.

Began work for Continental Air as a pilot in 1946 and retired in1980, eventually becoming a Captain; Assistant Chief Pilot; and Manager of Flight Operations. He later returned to line flying because he enjoyed the comradeship of the air and his coaviators. Upon his retirement he enjoyed his family and a skilled golf game.

Married Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Barnett Feb. 19, 1944, after the death of his wife Beth, in 2000, he married Diane Hiland in 2000 and enjoyed a robust extended life with the Hiland family in DeKalb, Illinois. His time with Diane was characterized by lots of love, laughter, and a joyous sense of humor.



Survivors include: His wife, Diane Hiland Ballard of DeKalb, three sons:

Barney and Carol Ballard of Sandpoint, Idaho; Mike and Sue Ballard of Greeley, Colorado; Rich and Connie Ballard of Sandpoint, Idaho. Six granddaughters: Maureen Ballard, Natalie Ballard, Anna Ballard, Brooke and Justin Ladd, Lauren and Ino Riley

Nicole Ballard. Two great-grandchildren: Cayleb and Asher Riley. Three step-children:

Mark and Angela Dentler of Merrill, Wisconsin, Eric and Kersten Dentler of Maple, Grove, Minnesota, Jill Bansberg of San Diego, California. Three great-step-grandchildren: Madalynn Dentler, Paige and Jack Dentler, also the Extended Hiland Family of DeKalb.

Predeceased by his parents, first wife Beth Ballard and brother Forrest Ballard.

A funeral service will be held Thursday April 19, 2012 at 4:00pm at the Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home with Pastor Jonathon Hutchison of First United Methodist Church of DeKalb officiating, with a visitation from 2:00pm-4:00pm at the funeral home. Cremation will take place following the services at Finch Crematory. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Golden Eagles (an organization of retired Continental Airline pilots to which Don belonged), or the Salvation Army. To send an online condolence visit: ronanmoorefinch.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak Street DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.

Service:
Thursday April 19, 2012

4:00pm

Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home
Visitation:
Thursday April 19, 2012

2:00 - 4:00pm

Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home