Herb E. Ballou

HELENA - Herb E. Ballou, 89, of Helena, a World War II veteran and longtime advocate for veterans' benefits, died of cardiac failure caused by an airway ob-struction Friday near Clancy.
Cremation has taken place through Anderson Cremation Services of Helena. His memorial service is 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at Clancy United Methodist Church, with burial at 4 p.m. at Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Fort Harri-son. A reception will be held at the Montana Army National Guard Service Club at Fort Harrison after the burial. Hagler-Anderson Mortuary is handling arrangements.
Herb died surrounded by his family.
Survivors include his daughter, Bonee Erickson (Joe) of Cascade; daughter-in-law Margo Brooke of Helena; grandchildren Carrie Erickson of Colorado, Olin Erickson of Cascade, Isabell (Mark) Stoltz of Washington, Herbert Ballou of Alaska and Nellie Ballou of Alaska.
He was preceded in death by his son, Monte.
Herb was born Oct. 8, 1917, in Jersey City, N.J., to Jane and Martin Ballou and attended schools in Wickford, R.I. He was a strong athlete and received track and football scholarships to Moses Brown School and the University of Maine. The track records he set in discus and the hammer throw stood for more than 20 years.
Herb traveled extensively, working as a seaman and a steel worker. In June 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and started pilot training; however, more ground troops were needed and his squadron members became infantrymen and fought with the 70th Division in the Battle of the Bulge. He was seriously injured, including the loss of an eye, and was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
On Nov. 2, 1944, LaVaughn Hay and Herb were married. They lived in Fort Collins, Colo., where Herb attended college. The family moved to Montana in 1951, and Herb managed several dairy farms in the Deer Lodge area. Herb became a dairy inspector for the Board of Livestock, living in Bozeman and then Helena.
After retirement, Herb and LaVaughn lived in Rimini, where Herb enjoyed cutting firewood and working mining claims. After LaVaughn's death in 1985, Herb married Dorothy Thomas and they enjoyed traveling extensively until Dorothy's death in 1996.
Herb's lively mind was always looking for a challenge and he attended classes at Carroll College for nearly 20 years. He was active in the community, including veterans' organizations, Kiwanis, Shrine, Scottish Rite, Elks, Eagles, the Methodist and Presbyterian churches and volun-teering at Fort Harrison.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Clancy United Methodist Church, 9 N. Main St., Clancy, MT 59634; or the Helena Senior Center, c/o Rocky Mountain Development Council, P.O. Box 1717, Helena, MT 59624.
Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/obituaries.