John Christopher Ballard

John Christopher Ballard (J.C., Moe, Spanks), son of Charles and Karen Ballard, and brother to Michael Ballard, was born on April 19, 1972, in Des Moines. He passed away on October 2, 2023, at home in Hospice care. Services to celebrate John’s life will be held Wednesday, October 11 at McLaren’s Funeral Chapel in West Des Moines. Visitation will start at 10 a.m. with a service to follow at 11 a.m. with an inurnment at Resthaven Cemetery.

He attended Urbandale schools from elementary through high school. Always in the bar business, he worked for Denny Arthur at his bars for 30-plus years. Titles included bar-back, bartender, manager, and general fix-it person. He enjoyed his job and while doing so made many life-long friends.

On May 8, 2005, John married Janelle Anne Motzko. That union created a bonus family, Ed, Ashleigh and Sage Motzko, Jeremey and Jennifer Cooper, Daeton and Cash Abildtrup, and McKenna Cooper. He loved his wife and family. He excelled at pool, darts, golf, bowling, loved his annual Canadian fishing trips, Hawkeyes, dogs, cats, his bird and his Corvette.

Survived by his wife, Janelle, mother, father, brother, all his children and grandchildren, nieces Kaylee and McKenzee Ballard, nephew Austin Ballard, great-nephew and niece Tristan and McKayela McIlhon, many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Preceded in death by his second mother Shirley Ballard, grand-parents Bill and Maxine Martin, Lewis and Dee Ballard, Marian Connolly, Mo and Connie Vermeulen.

John fought his cancer with great determination, kept his head held high, rolled with the punches and left this earth too soon a courageous battle-hard warrior. A thoughtful, loving, loyal soul is gone at the young age of 51 and will be remembered and missed by all.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com for the Ballard family.