Obituary for Dean Allen Ball

Dean passed away peacefully at his home in Portland, Michigan with his beloved wife Susie Smith at his side.

Dean was born on June 6, 1939 the third child of Carl and Reva (Groves) Ball. He followed brothers Wayne and Gail with little sister Joyce completing the family. Dean grew up in Maple Rapids, Michigan and had endless happy stories to tell about his childhood with the local kids having great adventures.

It was in Maple Rapids where Dean met and fell in love with his childhood sweetheart Jean Ann Cartwright (Ball). The two were in love but unfortunately Jean was very sick with a heart issue and needed surgery that was beyond the means of a normal family in a rural area. So, Dean quit high school, married Jean, and joined the Navy at 17. With the healthcare provided as a member of the United States Navy, Jean was able to get the care she needed and after two years, Dean came home and they began their life together.

Despite doctor’s warnings that they would never be able to have children due to Jean’s heart condition, the couple had three sons: Mike, Bill, and Scott. They were dedicated to living life together on their terms and not limiting it what others thought was safest for Jean. They raised their family between moves from Maple Rapids, Harrison, Pompeii, and Ithaca.

Dean was an energetic man who loved people. When he started his family, he was a successful salesman but always dreamed of being a police officer so in 1972 he accepted a position as Deputy Sherriff in Clare County, Michigan and later was the Chief of Police for Hayes Township surrounding Harrison, Michigan. He loved being a police officer but the demanding schedule was difficult so they moved back south to be closer to family and Dean became a truck driver for Meijer. Dean worked for Meijer until retirement moving up to management and to be a project coordinator for Fred Meijer personally. One of his earliest projects was bringing UPC scanners to the registers at the stores.

After Jean’s death in 1993 Dean struggled with being alone, he was not a happy bachelor. Luckily, he met Susie Smith who was the cousin of his best friend. The two found that they enjoyed the same things and were happy together so they were married. This resulted in 19 years of love and happiness together for Dean and Susie. Without the extreme dedication and care of Susie there is no doubt that Dean’s health issue would have taken him much earlier but she was steadfast that she would take care of him and keep him in his home as long as she could. He would tell everyone he talked to that he was lucky to have such good and loving woman taking care of him. And she did until the very end.

Dean is survived by his wife Susie Smith, three sons and bonus son: Mike and Janel Ball, Bill and Jonelle Ball, Scott and Jennifer Ball, Wayne and Julie Ball plus the family he gained with Susie with her sons John and Kelly Smith, Richard Smith and a daughter Linda who preceded him in death. In addition, he was a very happy and loving Grandpa / Papa to Jenae (Mike), James, Alyssa (Gary), Ashleigh (Matt), Michelle, Ryan, and Mathew (Isabelle) plus the addition of Great Grand Children that made him smile every time he laid eyes on them. Dean was a devoted Christian and a member of the Portland First Congregational Church where he loved his church community immensely and loved being of service to others in any way he could.

Dean was a servant for God, Country, and Community. Some examples include: the United States Navy, Police Officer, Scout Master, Red Cross First Aid / CPR trainer, EMT, helped start the Ambulance service in Harrison, Rescue Diver, teacher of Hunter’s Safety, Boater’s Safety, and Snowmobile Safety, Civil Air Patrol. Later in life Dean was a member of many church and community groups to help feed those in need, repair buildings, and build wheel chair ramps. Dean loved people. He loved meeting people and visiting with friends and family. He was the embodiment “he never met a stranger”. Long conversation and funny stories flowed like water from him. He also loved playing cards and the social aspect of playing. Susie and Dean played Euchre at the VFW in Ionia until two weeks before he died. They loved being with friends and family together.

Dean was preceded in death by his first wife Jean, and his mother, father, brothers, sister, nearly all of his cousins and his lifelong friends.

Family and friends may pay their respects beginning at noon on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at First Congregational Church, 421 East Bridge Street, Portland. The funeral will follow at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Jacob Richards.