Eunice Joy Ball

Eunice Joy Ball, 101, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, surrounded by family at Brentwood Assisted Living Community in Elkhart.

Born on Nov. 2, 1923, in rural Elkhart County to Moses and Josephine (Gardner) Wilson, Eunice lived a long, full life that spanned more than a century of history, hard work and humor.

She first married Richard Buss in 1949; he passed away just three years later. In time, she found lasting love again with Robert "Bob" Ball, and the two married on Dec. 26, 1959. Together they shared 60 rich years of marriage until Bob's passing in 2020.

In addition to her husband and parents, Eunice was preceded in death by her sister, Marie Thompson of Elkhart. She is survived by three nieces – Julie Thompson and Lisa Amos, both of Elkhart, and Valerie (Greg) Hinkle of Goshen – along with great-nieces Justine Amos-Clark (Nate), Marisa Nyikos, Amanda Hatton, and Lt. Cmdr. Katherine Hinkle (USNR); and great-nephews Sean Frick (Tracy) and Jack (Julianne Boyd) Hinkle. Eunice also leaves behind one great-great-niece and four great-great-nephews, as well as her brother -in-law, John Thompson.

A 1941 graduate of New Paris High School, Eunice was among the many women of her generation who stepped up during World War II to fill vital roles on the home front. She worked at Vitreous Steel in Nappanee, producing weapon parts that supported the Allied effort – a contribution she carried with quiet pride. After the war, she began a 15-year career at Miles Laboratories in Elkhart before setting out on new adventures with Bob.

In 1961, they moved to Florida and opened a women's clothing store in downtown Fort Myers, where Eunice's keen eye for fashion and warm sense of humor endeared her to customers. Over the years, she and Bob made their home in Riverside, California; Brooklyn, New York; and Atlanta, Georgia, where Eunice held management positions at Sears retail stores. They eventually retired to Sarasota, Florida, in 1991, where Eunice remained active in her condominium community – even serving for many years as its president.

Eunice had an eye for style and a sharp wit to match. She loved a good bargain (especially a garage sale treasure), never missed the chance for a bit of friendly gossip, and took amused delight in those who lacked her natural sense of fashion. Beneath her humor, though, was a kind heart, a quick mind, and a deep loyalty to those she loved. She was also a fierce bridge player and played with the Palm Aire Country Club's bridge group until she was 99.

A private graveside memorial will be held at South Union Cemetery near Nappanee on Saturday, Nov. 15. Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart is assisting the family with arrangements.

Eunice lived more than a hundred years with grace, grit, and a healthy dose of laughter – a reminder that life, at its best, is meant to be lived with both purpose and joy.