Mona Mae Ballard Karns

By | January 8, 2015

Mona Mae Ballard Karns, age 78, of Creola, passed away Tuesday morning, January 6, 2015, at her home. She was born May 13, 1936 in Antigo, Wisconsin to the late John William Ballard and Verda Esther Buetow Ballard. 

Mona was a former employee of Goodyear in Logan and Austin Powder Plant, and was a former caregiver for the Vinton County DD for over 25 years. She enjoyed oil painting, gardening and sewing, and she was an amazing cook and a beloved mother and grandmother. 

Mona is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia “Penny” and Don Fairchild of Creola and Tammy and Larry Hopkins of McArthur; three grandchildren, Jami Sowers, Donnie Fairchild and Lauren Hopkins; two great-grandchildren, Breanna Sowers and Owen Sowers; brother, Bob (Joan) Ballard of Westerville; two sisters, Bonnie (Bill) Nichols of North Carolina and Virginia Sikorski of McArthur; sisters-in-law, Pat Ballard of Mansfield, Debbie Ballard of Lancaster and Betty Ballard of Florida; brother-in-law, Steve Leonard of Logan; former brother-in-law and special friend, Ernie Allman of Creola; special friends, Jim and Judy Perry of Creola, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Besides her parents, Mona was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Burton “Burt” Karns in 2001, and siblings, Bill Ballard, Thomas Ballard, Julie Leonard and Michael Ballard. 

Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston. Funeral service will be Friday at 1 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home with Pastor Don Fairchild officiating. Burial will follow in the Elk Cemetery in McArthur. 

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions in Mona’s name be given to the American Lung Association of Ohio, 4050 Executive Park Drive, Suite 402, Cincinnati, Ohio 45241. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com