Elmer “Gale” Ball, 98, of Kansas City, KS, where he lived with his daughter, Jean Day, passed away Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Brookdale College Square, Olathe, KS. Gale is originally from Atchison, retiring to Paradise Lake in Effingham, KS, after forty plus years as a machinist at Rockwell.
Gale was born on September 1, 1927, in Atchison, KS, the son of Elmer Barney and Edith (Norris) Ball. He attended Atchison Public Schools and then enlisted to serve in the United States Army in 1945. Gale attended the First Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed many activities and hobbies through the years. He loved hunting, fishing, and gardening. He had a deep love for his dogs, and enjoyed tending to his fruit trees, which he shared with his neighbors and friends. He belonged to many bowling teams and enjoyed bowling Saturday night with family. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the VFW in Atchison.
Gale married Laura Darlene Gossman on September 22, 1951, they celebrated forty-two years together. She preceded him on June 22, 1993. Survivors include two sons, Keith and Debbie Ball, Eureka, KS, Richard Ball, Nampa, ID, a daughter, Jean Day, Kansas City, KS, five grandchildren, Scott Keling, Phillip Lyons, Dr. Jamie Ball, Kelsie Salazar and Sherry Hix and eight great grandchildren. He was also preceded by his parents, a brother Robert Ball, and a granddaughter, Jolie Ball, a daughter in law Linda Ball.
Graveside service and burial will be at 2:00 PM, Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Lancaster Cemetery, Lancaster, KS, with The Rev. Dr. Rachel Dannar officiating. Memorials are suggested to American Heart Association or American Cancer Society and may be sent in care of the Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral handling the arrangements.
