Jeffrey W. Ball

LANCASTER - Jeffrey W. Ball, 48, of Summer Street, died Monday, January 9, 2006, at Weeks Medical Center, Lancaster, after a long battle with cancer.

Jeff was born in Manchester, NH, on June 10, 1957. He attended area schools including White Mountain Regional High School for a time, and was the first student to receive their diploma from Profile high School, Class of 1977, in Bethlehem, NH. He furthered his education with various certificate programs with GM training, ASC, ect, always willing to learn new things.

Through the years he has been employed at Currier Auto, North Country Ford, Belanger Oldsmobile, Roberts Motor Sales, Rialto Theater, Whitney Motors, Weeks Memorial Hospital all of Lancaster, and White Mt. Auto and Dicks Trucks, both of Whitefield, Esty's, Jefferson, and James River, Groveton. His most current employment was at Martin's Agway, Lancaster. After working so many years on automobiles he thought he'd take an early retirement with small engines, a job where he got to talk to the customers.

He was a longtime member of the Lancaster Snowdrifters Snowmobile Club and currently held a position on the board of directors. He was assistant leader of Brownie Girl Scout Troop 50, Junior Troop 117, Cadette Troop 240, moving up through with his girls and helping with other troops when help was needed. Helping with activities from cookie sales to flower planting, "haunting" at the Rocks Estate, or the annual shopping rip in Boston, he never knew what was coming next, but he was always there.

Jeff enjoyed snowmobiling, fly fishing and tying his own flies, cars, motorcycles, hunting, camping, hiking, and was an auto racing fan.

His children Elizabeth and Megan where first and foremost in his live. He learned a lot from them and they in turn learned a lot from him. Jeff enjoyed meeting people whether at work or scouting or snowmobiling or on top of some mountain.

Family members include his wife Joyce (Chessman) Ball of Lancaster; two daughters, Elizabeth Ball of Lancaster and friend Matt Eddy, Megan Ball of Lancaster and friend David Birt; his parents Merry and Jim Hill of Lancaster; three sisters, Michelle (Hill) Dingman and her husband Clarence "Jug" of Lancaster, Barbara Jean (Hill) McLauglin of Lancaster, Cassie (Hill) Gonyer and her late husband Robbie of Groveton; mother and father-in-law John and Edith Chessman of Lancaster; sister-in-law Lyndall Demers and husband Al of Lancaster, brothers-in-law, David Chessman and wife Ramona of Lancaster, John Chessman of Boston, MA; nieces and nephews, James Dingman, wife Callie, and children Sierra and hunter of Lancaster, Missy Dingman and son Isaiah, Jessica McFarland, husband Ed, and children Lexus and Gemini, Ryan McLaughlin, son Bailey and ex-wife Missy, Shakira McLaughlin of Lancaster, Ben, Zachary and Hayden Gonyer of Groveton, Gary M. Rexford and Marissa Sherman of Lancaster, Tracy Rexford and wife Leane of Berlin, Jenifer Rexford of Goffstown, NH, Chris Corliss, wife Tanya and children Shantelle and Christopher of Lancaster, David Chessman of Hopkinton, and Adam Chessman of Lancaster.

Visiting hours will be held Friday evening January 13, from 6-9 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A memorial service will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 at the Christ United Methodist Church, Lancaster. Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Bentum, will officiate.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Jeff's memory to the Brain Tumor Research Fund, % Kris Brann, Neuro-Oncology Program, DHMC, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, or Lancaster Snowdrifters Inc., Easter Seals-Camp Sno Mo, PO Box 566, Lancaster, NH 03584, or Weeks Medical Center, Med-Surg Floor, Middle Street, Lancaster 03584, or Weeks Home Health Services, 278 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584 or Hospice of Lancaster, Attn: Abbey Goolman, 278 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584.