Leah Jane Ball

Leah Jane Ball was born May 28, 1985, in Simi Valley, California. She passed away at her home on June 2, 2024. She had just celebrated her 39th birthday. Little did the family expect that two months following Leah's birth, her older brother, Byron would sustain a serious head injury that left him severely handicapped for several years. The effect of this accident was that Leah spent more time in the arms of her older sisters and brothers as a young infant than she did with her mother because "Mom" was tending to disabled, Byron. Hence, Leah took on a family nickname, "Little Sissy" that stayed with her throughout her life. Leah was number eight of ten children and did not want for love and attention as a young girl.
In her growing-up years, she lived in Simi Valley, California, Littleton, Colorado, Rocklin, California and Idaho Falls, Idaho. She had friends and wonderful family experiences in each of these locations. Her high school years were in Idaho Falls, Idaho and when she completed her schooling she turned into an adventurist. She moved to the Big Island of Hawaii, worked as a waitress in the tourist restaurants, and saved her money so she could travel to exotic locations in the world. She would visit Central and South America, Indonesia, and the South Pacific to name a few. She would always return to some place in Hawaii and save again for the next trip.
While living on the island of Kauai, she met Jonathan Schneeman, from Venezuela. They were married for a few years when she decided to end the marriage and return stateside to pursue a career in cosmetology. Once licensed she practiced as a beautician in Arizona until her life became too difficult to be on her own. She then returned to Idaho Falls, Idaho where she would live with her parents until her passing.
Leah loved the outdoors, especially the ocean and sometimes thought of herself as a mermaid. She learned to snow ski and water ski and like to hike and camp in the mountains. She loved her family, and her nieces were thrilled to have her fix their hair and apply her make-up as if they had just had a trip to the beauty parlor. Leah enjoyed crocheting, refinishing furniture, doing diamond-dot artwork, and home decorating.
She was loved by everyone who got to know her and was known as a very giving and loving person. Leah was considered a family caregiver for her brother Byron, her grandmother, her mother, and the children of her siblings. She will be greatly missed.
She will join her grandparents, her oldest brother, Nathan, and her mother, Diane, who have all passed before her.
She is survived by her father, John, eight siblings, and 30 nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 13, 2024, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. The interment will be at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.