Carol Ball

Carol Ann Ball, 85, of St. Joseph, formerly of Decatur, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 24, 2020, at her home. A celebration of life graveside service will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 11AM, at Lakeside Cemetery in Decatur. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.newellchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Newell Chapel & Cremation Services. Carol was born on January 22, 1935, to Gerald & Eleanor (Seagrave) White in Chicago, IL. She graduated from St. Gabriel High School in Chicago. She married John D Burns and together they had eight children. Carol had a passion for helping children, which led to her owning and operating her own child care business which she ran for 50 years before retiring at age 72. Her most cherished times were with her family. Carol is survived by her children, John W (Denise Kainz) Burns of DeForest, WI, Michael Burns of Decatur, Terrence (Micki) Burns of Decatur, Robert (Julie) Burns of Decatur, Gerald Burns of Decatur, Eileen (Richard) Rifley of The Woodlands, TX, and Cathleen Burns of St. Joseph; fourteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; siblings, Joan Panfil of South Haven, William White of Lansing, IL, John (Lydia) White of Romeoville, IL; sister-in-law Shirley White; dearest friend Betty O’Hare; and numerous nieces and nephews. Carol was preceded in death by her first husband John D Burns; parents, Gerald & Eleanor White; Her infant baby boy; and siblings, Eileen Milch, Gerald White, Adrian Tovo, Lila Dahlman, Daniel White, Gayle Pinder and Noreen White.