Ralph Vernon Ball

Ralph was born and raised in Pennsylvania where he worked on coal trains. It was not until he met the love of his life, Gloria, that he moved his life to Warren, Michigan. The two tied the knot on September 8, 1951, and spent 71 loving years together. Ralph was a self-educated man and eventually earned his journeyman card. He worked for General Motors for 38 years as a metal model maker at Fisher Body in Warren. Ralph was very active in the community, helping as a Cub Scout leader and as an usher at St. Clement Church in Center Line. In his leisure time, Ralph loved to deer hunt and was a big fan of dancing and Polka music. He loved to joke and could tell a good rhyme. Although Ralph was known as easy-going and hardworking, he was given the nickname Ralph “The Bull” Ball by his coworkers and friends due to his stubbornness. Most of all, Ralph will be remembered as a loving husband and wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be missed immensely and loved eternally by his family and friends.

Ralph was the beloved husband of Gloria. Loving father of Patricia (Donny) Alton, Susan (Isaac) Anderson, Kenneth Ball, Barbara (Mark) Anderson, Brenda (the late Tim) Trouse, and Shirley (the late Ben) Nabors. Cherished grandfather of Neil Alton, Christina Alton, Lisa DiGaetano, Rachel Hatt, Eric Hatt, David Ball, Amanda Nabors, and Ryan Nabors. Adored great-grandfather of 8. Dear brother of the late Charlotte Vaughn, the late Melvin Ball, Louise Farrell, and Linda Stacey. Also survived by his former son-in-law Ed Hatt and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Ralph will be held Thursday, September 1st from 3-9pm with a 6pm Rosary at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road, Warren, MI. He will lie in state on Friday from 9:30am until the time of his Funeral Mass at 10am at St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families, St. Clement Site, 25320 Van Dyke, Center Line 48015.

Please share memories of Ralph at his guest book below.