Gregory A. "Pete" Ball

Pete Ball, 57, passed away at home in Monmouth on Wednesday, November 25, 2009. He was born July 18, 1952 in Ann Arbor, MI to Genevieve and Elwood "Woody" Ball, and was raised and educated in Monmouth where he graduated from Monmouth High School in 1970 and Monmouth College in 1974. He married Jeannine Prevallet in 1983. Pete was a talented and successful sales and marketing professional, beginning his career in sales with IBM and moving up to Johnson & Johnson where he was quickly promoted through 5 successively larger sales territories. His success in the field prompted J&J to take the unusual step of appointing a sales representative to a position in the corporate Marketing Department, where Pete began his marketing career as Manager, Sales Promotions. He was soon promoted to Product Director for some of J&J's nationally known first aid products. Next at Kendall-Futuro, he rose to Senior Market Manager managing all aspects of the Curad adhesive bandage brand's national marketing, advertising and promotions. Following similar positions at The Perrigo Co. and Fort James Co., Pete accepted a position as National Sales Manager for Wildlife Artists, Inc., a manufacturer of plush toys designed for the zoo, museum and aquarium market which he enjoyed most of all. Pete's great loves were his family, his work, the Green Bay Packers (Go Pack!) and flying. Inspired by his adventurous mother who had herself learned to fly during WWII, he earned a private pilot's license while a student at Monmouth College. Family and friends all remember many summer evenings spent with him on a sunset flight over the Mississippi River. Surviving him are his mother, Genevieve Ball of Monmouth, IL; daughter Ashley Ball and son Ian Ball of Phoenix, AZ; sisters Janis Durr (Rob Wells) of Charlotte, NC, Judy Ball of Schaumburg, IL and Pamela (John) Gustafson of Plymouth, MN; and 4 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Elwood "Woody" Ball. Services:Friends are invited to join the family for a committal of ashes service on Saturday, December 19, 2009, at 11:30am, Monmouth City Cemetery. Following the service lunch will be served in the Fellowship Hall of Faith United Presbyterian Church, Monmouth. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Bridgeway, Inc., ATTN: Bill Nelson, 2323 Windish Drive, Galesburg, IL 61401 to support their important work. Turnbull Funeral Home of Monmouth is serving the family.