JoAnn Ballard Shaner

BALLARD SHANER, JoAnn

JoAnn Ballard Shaner passed away peacefully on October 25, 2016, at the age of 84. Daughter of the late James Jesse Ballard and Mary Cecilia (Hagan) Ballard, she was born into a large Catholic family in Loretto, Kentucky (near Bardstown), on February 20, 1932.

She was preceded in death by her son, Stephen Alan Shaner (Sue) of Beavercreek Township, and an infant son, Michael Angelo Shaner. She was also preceded in death by siblings, Robert Leo Ballard (Ruth) of New Carlisle, Joseph Wilbur Ballard (Irene) of Haskins, James Lewis Ballard (Margaret) of Dayton, Sister M. Angela Therese (Patricia Jean), a sister of the Precious Blood, and Carolyn (Connie) Marie Ostendorf and beloved husband Joseph Ostendorf of Washington Township.

JoAnn is survived by her son, Craig Anthony Shaner of Brandt, and by her loving son and caregiver, Mark Andrew Shaner of Vandalia. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Sue Shaner, her brother, Michael Dean Ballard (Susan) of Butler Township, sisters-in-law, Ruth Ballard, Margaret Ballard, and Irene Ballard, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

While growing up in Dayton, JoAnn attended St. Mary’s grade school. In high school she attended Bethel during her freshman and sophomore years. She completed her education as a 1950 graduate of Tippecanoe High School in Tipp City where, among other accolades, she distinguished herself as Editor of the school yearbook and as a member of the Scholarship Team.

As a young wife and mother in the early 1950’s, JoAnn and her brother Robert opened a dress shop in New Carlisle called JoAnn’s Fashions. At the time, she had the distinction of being the youngest dress shop owner in the state of Ohio. Other employment included a position at Leland Airborne, and later on she found her niche in fashion once again, working for several years as a consultant in the Bridal shop at Rike’s department store in Dayton. She completed her career with fifteen years in the Accounts Payable department at Lazarus department store prior to her retirement.

JoAnn moved to Vandalia before St. Christopher Church was built in 1958. When she and her family joined the parish, mass was being held in a business on Dixie Drive. At St. Christopher she became an active parishioner, serving as President of the Rosary Altar Society and also as room mother for her three sons while they attended St. Christopher School. In her golden years she was no longer able to attend mass in person, but she watched the Rosary at Lourdes Grotto and Mass each Sunday on television. Often she would get up at 4 am to watch the Pope’s Mass on special Holy Days.

A member of Vandalia Sister Cities from its inception in the 1970’s, JoAnn was very active in that organization. She enjoyed 7 trips to Lichtenfels, Germany, and returned their hospitality by hosting her German friends from Lichtenfels whenever they visited Vandalia. She really loved her trips to Germany and especially loved seeing all the beautiful cathedrals of Europe. One of her fondest memories was of a visit to St. Peter’s where she got to see Pope John in person. She said it was the thrill of her life.

But above all else, JoAnn loved her family. She was a loving and devoted daughter, mother, sister, and aunt. She looked forward to all the holidays and big family gatherings and never wanted to miss one, even when her health began to fail. She especially loved spending time sitting and talking with everyone and catching up on family news. We will remember her smile, her laugh, her love of family history, and of all things blue and lavender. And although JoAnn will remain with us in memory, future family gatherings will always have an empty spot that only she could fill. We will miss her soft voice, kind heart, generous spirit, and loving devotion to family. But most of all, we will simply miss JoAnn.

A funeral mass is scheduled for 11:00 am on Friday, November 4, 2016, at St. Christopher Church, 435 E. National Road in Vandalia. The family will receive friends and loved ones for one hour prior to the mass from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Burial will be immediately following mass with interment at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery on Evanston Road in Tipp City. In lieu of flowers, contributions in JoAnn’s memory may be made to St. Christopher Church.