Craig Ballard

Craig Ballard, 66, of Robinson, IL, died May 25, 2021, at IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. He was born November 26, 1954, in St. Louis, MO, the son of Carroll "Pap Shorty" & Dortha (Wheeler) Ballard. He grew up in the McLeansboro area, where his dad and siblings spent countless hours in the woods trapping. These years developed in him a love for the outdoors that he would hold for the rest of his life. Straight out of high school, he entered into the carpentry trade, work that led him and his oldest daughter, Amber, to Texas. Here, he met Susan Inboden, who he married in 1990. Not only did Craig work hard to support his young family financially, but he also used his carpentry talents to provide them with whatever they needed. In fact, the beds he made for his children were of such quality that they were able to be passed down to the next generation! In his early 50s, Craig's decades in the trade had led to severe problems with arthritis, to the point that he had to retire early. This season of his life allowed him to spend more time pursuing other passions. He was, by all accounts, an avid fisherman and knew the peace that comes with a rod and reel in hand. He spent countless hours tending to his garden and found great satisfaction in tending to his tomatoes. Though it could be said that he had a green thumb, his talents were even more evident in the kitchen. His kids and grandkids could never forget his culinary prowess, especially his jambalaya, which was nothing short of legendary. A man who loved his westerns, the only movies he enjoyed more than John Wayne films were the space movies he watched with his grandson, Trace. It was evident to anyone who knew him that Craig took the role of "grandpa" very seriously. His grandkids were, by all accounts, each the apple of his eye. In fact, it could be said that they brought life to his very living and provided him with a depth of joy that couldn't possibly be expressed with words. They, along with the rest of his family, will remember Craig Ballard as a loud, charismatic soul, but one who was always there to extend a helping hand. May we learn from his 66 years that real and genuine living comes not from what we take but from what we give. He is survived by his children, Amber Farris & Chad Van Metre (Enfield, IL), Krystle & Jamie Riggle (Robinson, IL), and Colt Ballard (Robinson, IL); by his grandchildren, Peyton Riggle, Danyon Farris, Trenton Riggle, Olivia Riggle, Trace Riggle, and Evan Riggle; by his mother, Dortha Ballard; by his siblings & their spouses, Rhonda & Randy Millenbine, Lea Ann & Brad Jones, Tracy & Rick Strole, Jim Ballard, and Kevin & Rosemary Ballard; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Carroll "Pap Shorty" Ballard; by his son-in-law, Shane Farris; and by his sister-in-law, Barbara Ballard. A time of visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 28th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow and will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, with his nephew, Jeremy Patterson officiating. A live stream of Craig's service will be available on Goodwine Funeral Homes' Facebook page or by going to https://www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream . Memorials may be made to his memorial fund, with checks made payable to "Goodwine Funeral Homes". Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.