Dale "Duck" Ballard

Dale "Duck" Eugene Ballard passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on November 22, 2025. He was born in Mason City, Iowa, on April 4, 1950, and graduated from high school in 1969.
In 1970, Dale joined the United States Navy, where he proudly served until 1993. After retiring from the Navy, he went to work at Charlie's Greenhouse. He then began a second career with the U.S. Postal Service in Burlington, WA, where he worked from 1993 until 2016- another 23 years of dedicated service. Dale was loved by everyone who knew him for his friendly, happy-go-lucky personality.
Dale met the love of his life, Verna, in 1981. Though it took several determined attempts to convince her to go on a date with him, their love story soon began. They married in 1987 and blended their families, creating a home full of love, laughter, and togetherness.
Dale is survived by his wife, Verna Ballard; and his children: daughter Jennifer Bachmann, son Keith Harbison; and daughter Michelle (Marvin) Martin; grandchildren Cameron (Megan) and Connor (Tess) Bachmann, Chase (Ashlyn) Harbison, Madyson (Ole) Harbison, and Wyatt Harbison, Lindsey (Jake) Brett, and Whitney (Sarah) Velador; great-grandchildren Inessa, Morgan, and Havana Harbison, Emilee and Colton Brett, Landyn, Logan, and Liam Pasillas, and Lailah Velador and Charlie (Dylin) and George (Racheal).
A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Kern Funeral Home, 1122 S Third St., Mount Vernon, followed by a coffee hour reception and ending with a graveside inurnment ceremony at Greenhills Memorial Cemetery, 11157 Gardner Rd, Burlington, at 2:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alger Food Bank, 18731 Park View Lane, Burlington, WA 98233.