Irving Ball

Irving R. Ball, 90, a resident of the Kootenai Valley for the past 44 years, died Tuesday, July 11, 2006, at Libby Care Center.

A longtime employee of J. Neils Lumber and St. Regis Paper Cos., Irving was a millwright/electrician for many years until his retirement in 1977.

He was born June 18, 1916, on the Beck ranch near Garrison to Sterling and Marie Ball. Irving spent his early childhood on the family homestead at Avon.

He later lived with his family in Washington, Oregon and California before returning to Montana. They settled in Mission Valley at St. Ignatius in 1929 where Irving attended school, graduating from St. Ignatius High School in 1935.

He attended Intermountain Union College in Helena and Great Falls and later, Intermountain Union Polytechnic in Billings (now Rocky Mountain College), where Irving received training in machinery and welding.

While attending school in Billings, Irving met Myrna Lewis. They married Sept, 25, 1938, at her home in Fort Benton.

Irving returned to Mission Valley, where he and his father operated the family ranch. Irving also operated an electric shop in St. Ignatius and an excavation service.

He had been a pilot in the early days of civilian aviation, making one of the first air strips in the valley on the family ranch. Irving also had served with the community volunteer fire department and was involved in numerous other community affairs.

After moving to Libby in 1962, Irving remained active in community affairs. He and his wife helped establish the Libby Dam Good Sam Club and assisted with the club's activities. As a longtime amateur ham radio operator, he helped organize operators to assist in emergency and disaster relief.

Following his retirement, Irving and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout the United States in their motor home, their sailboat and spending time with grandchildren and numerous adopted grandchildren at their home on Flathead Lake.

Irving had been a member of the United Methodist Church and Lumber & Sawmill Workers local 2581. He also was a 50-year member and past master of Mission Valley Masonic Lodge No. 78.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1995, and his sister, Beryl Seljak, in 2005.

Surviving are his children, Lewis Ball of Missoula, Rayna Larsen of Columbia Falls, Daryl Ball of Helendale, Calif., and Keith Ball of Hauser, Idaho; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and a host of "adopted" children and grandchildren.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 22, at the United Methodist Church in Libby. Burial with Masonic rites will follow at the City of Libby Cemetery.

Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 21, at Nelson & Vial Funeral Home in Libby.

Memorials may be made to Libby Volunteer Ambulance, P.O. Box 777, Libby, MT, 59923 or to the charity of one's choice.