It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald “Ronnie” Wayne Ball on July 27, 2026, at the age of 66, after a courageous and determined battle with pancreatic cancer.
Ronnie was born on April 28, 1960, to Ronald and Betty (Juergensen) Ball and was raised in Marseilles, Illinois. While on vacation in Acapulco in 1983 with his brother Roger, he met a young Canadian girl named Colleen on the eve of her 21st birthday, and they struck up an immediate connection. Despite sharing only two short days together and the miles between them, they pursued their relationship through letters and long-distance phone calls. On the Fourth of July in 1984, during the fireworks in Ottawa, Illinois, Ronnie asked Colleen to marry him. They were married on November 3, 1984, in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, surrounded by family, friends, and many of Ronnie’s coworkers who traveled from the United States to celebrate with them. After spending several years in Ottawa, they made their home in Streator, Illinois, in 1987. That same year they welcomed their first son, Jordan, followed by their second son, Jason, on Christmas Day in 1989.
Ronnie devoted himself to being a caring husband and involved father, giving freely of his time, attention and affection to them, as well as his parents who moved to Streator to be closer to their grandchildren.
Ronnie worked for 35 years as an electrician at Exelon’s LaSalle Nuclear Station, where he established lifelong friendships with so many of his IBEW brothers and coworkers. He earned the respect of those around him through his strong work ethic, dependability, willingness to share his knowledge, and—perhaps most notably—his enjoyment of cooking for his fellow workers. When he retired in 2016, his coworkers fittingly retired his tool belt as well, filling it with cooking utensils from the electric shop kitchen as a tribute to the many meals and memories they had shared.
Outside of work, Ronnie enjoyed golfing, following the Chicago Cubs, cooking/sharing meals for family and friends, traveling to the Caribbean, and making trips to visit his sons wherever life had taken them. He was known for his generous heart and his legendary ability to find a bargain. His enthusiasm for rebates and great deals became so well known that their dear friend Kate early-on affectionately nicknamed him “Ronnie Rebate.” True to his generous nature, he lived by the motto, “If one is good, three is better,” often buying extras simply so he could share them with others. Whether he was coaching his son’s ball teams, serving on the Streator Youth soccer or baseball boards, enjoying a round of golf, or hoisting a Miller Lite with friends he made at Smitty’s, Ronnie became well known as guy who could talk to anyone and always had a story to tell.
Ronnie is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Colleen (Luna) Ball; his cherished sons, Jordan and Jason Ball; his brothers, Roger, Michael, and Eric Ball; and his sister, Diane Ball. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Esme Luna, of Canada; his sisters- and brothers-in-law, Valerie and Steve Barr, and Shirley and Cress Carter, also of Canada; his nephews, Matthew (Katie) Barr, Patrick (Sarah) Barr, and Ethan, Nolan, and Grant Carter; along with many treasured extended family members, lifelong friends, and former coworkers who will deeply miss him and rallied around him in his final months.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Betty Ball; his infant sister, Debra Ball; his father-in-law, Charlie Luna; and his sister-in-law, Terri (Papa) Ball.
Ronnie’s life was measured not by the years he lived, but by the love he gave, the life he lived, and the countless lives he touched. If you were fortunate enough to know him, chances are you have a story to tell or a picture to share and his family invite you to bring them and be prepared to share them by joining in a Celebration of Life on Sunday, August 2nd at the Pine Hills Golf Course pavilion in Ottawa from 2 to 5pm.
Seals-Campbell Funeral Home
1009 E. Bluff St., Marseilles, IL 61341 815-795-5151 www.sealscampbell.com