George (Marty) Ballard Jr.

funeral director, Ballard & Sons Funeral Homes, Middletown, Indiana, died February 6, 2023, at age 65. Ballard received a bachelor’s degree in business from Hanover College and his mortuary science degree from Indiana College of Mortuary Science. He attended Christian Theological Seminary and received his master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Olivet Nazarene University. He was an ordained elder and had retired as the lead pastor at Yorktown Church of the Nazarene in Yorktown, Indiana, after 12 years.

Ballard was past master and secretary of Middletown Masonic Lodge; past president, secretary and former Fair Board co-chair of Middletown Lions Club; an 11-year member of Middletown EMS, where he served as training officer; and he had formally been on staff with Middletown Church of the Nazarene. He was co-chairman, with wife Gina, of Middletown Fall Funfest and was part of the Wall That Heals Committee.

Ballard was awarded EMT of the Year, Lion of the Year, was the first Business Associate of the Year by the ABWA and named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Otis Bowen, M.D.

Ballard is survived by wife Gina, son Ryan, daughter Kayla, five grandchildren and brother Jon.