3/8/2009
Joe Ball, 30, died March 8, 2009, at his home in Knoxville, Iowa.
Joe was born on
Friday, October 13, 1978 at Mahaska County Hospital in Oskaloosa. Joe grew up in
Knoxville. He graduated from Clarinda Academy in Clarinda, Iowa in 1996. Joe attended
college at DMACC. He was employed at S & S Quarry as an aggregate materials tester
for the last 4 and one half years. Joe enjoyed the outdoors; fishing, camp fires,
being with his friends and family.
Joe loved to rock hunt and has an extensive collection
of arrowheads. One of his most time consuming hobbies was ultimate fighting. Joe
had one amateur fight but still trained and studied MMA. He loved to watch professional
fights, live or from his massive collection of DVD’s. He even met a few of his idols.
The most important thing to Joe for the last five years was the love of his life,
Kristin Van Zee.
From their love came Gracie Mae, born January 20, 2009. The birth
of his only daughter brought a light into his eyes. He lived the last 7 weeks of
his life solely for Kristin and Gracie. Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents,
Barton and Vivian Ball.
Survivors include those closest to him, his fiancé’, Kristin
Van Zee; daughter, Gracie Ball; mother, Pam Bennett; brother, Scott Starmer; sister-in-law,
Bobbie Starmer; nephew, Devin Starmer; nieces, Mercedes and Haley Starmer; and grandparents,
Les and Ramona Bennett.
Joe will be missed by numerous family and friends. Funeral
services were held on Friday, March 13, 2009 at Williams Funeral Home with Pastor
Brian Hotrum officiating. Interment was in Marysville Cemetery, rural Marion County,
Iowa. Casket bearers were Chad Visser, Randy Vancenbrock, Chris Sage, Ryan Sotter,
Dave McNew and Greg Bonnett. Honorary casket bearers were Kelly Spaur and Terry
Phipps.
Musical selections were “Count On Me,” a CD by Default; “If You’re Reading
This,” CD by Tim McGraw and “All I Can Do IS Write About It,” a CD by Lynard Skynard.
Crystal Burk sang “In My Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride.
Memorials may be made
to Gracie Ball and Kristin Van Zee.
Memorial messages may be sent to the family
at www.williamsfhknoxville.com.