Bonnie Jean Ball

April 18, 1944 - March 27, 2019

Bonnie Jean Ball, Kalkaska, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2019, with family and her best childhood friend beside her. Bonnie was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 18, 1944, and she and her twin sister, Barbara Jane, were adopted by Irving and Doris Fry, of Kalkaska, at age four. On November 9, 1963, Bonnie was united in marriage to Roger Quentin Ball and they spent nearly 53 years together before Roger passed in August of 2016. Making their home in Kalkaska, they raised five children, Debbie Ball-Odeh, Teresa Ball, Robert Ball (Heidi Helberg), all of Kalkaska, Tammy Ball (Mike Zarzycki) of Belleville, and Tara Ball, of Romulus, all surviving. Bonnie also leaves behind nine grandchildren, Victoria Wehrmeister (Nick), Christopher Helberg, Micheal Cleggett, James Boyce (Stephanie Levan-Cassar), Quentin Moran, Spencer Hamilton, Jacob Moran, Cheyenne Etchison (Lane Slavins), and Chene Moran, and eight great grandchildren, Dominic and Alyssa Wehrmeister, James Cleggett, Gwendolyn Cassar, Coleson Boyce, Genevieve and Remington Powell, and Charlotte Slavins. Brothers Dennis Fry and Doug Fry (Sharon) also survive Bonnie. Bonnie was proceeded in death by her husband, her parents, and her sister Barb. Bonnie was a life-long musician who played several instruments over the years, but her first love was always the piano. The saying about “tickling the ivories” may have been coined for Bonnie as she was known for improvising every song she sat down to play. Bonnie will be remembered for her love of wind chimes and hummingbirds, camping two miles from home at Log Lake, watching her “big boats” on the St. Mary’s and at the Soo Locks, and pancake and sausage breakfasts for the grandkids. The family requests that memorial donations be made to Munson Healthcare Hospice (1105 Sixth St, Traverse City, MI 49684) in honor of the end of life care provided to both Bonnie and Roger. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019, from 1 to 4 pm at the Log Lake pavilion on Log Lake Rd in Kalkaska. Cards of condolence may be sent to the family in care of Debbie Ball-Odeh, 2014 E. Estate Rd, Kalkaska, MI 49646. The family was served by the Wolfe-O’Neill Funeral Home in Kalkaska.