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Dear MMHS Class of 1978,
I have sad news to share with you.
Dennis Campbell and Scott Dills informed me that our friend Mike Ball passed away on July 5th, 2026.
I have not seen an obituary, but I have some details of Mike’s celebration of life that Scott Dills sent me from Facebook: “This is Shelly Cataline-merrell Ball Mike’s widow. Mike’s celebration of life is planned for September 19th 1pm at Rose Valley Grange Hall. Potluck, bring you favorite goodie and story / no alcohol please”.
Dennis said, “that growing up with Mike, he was a good friend. Even when we hung with other people, you know different crowds, growing up that we remained friends, always”.
I (Darren) will always remember Mike who was in my 6th grade class at Robert Gray elementary with Mrs. Lomer. At the beginning of the school year, we were all excited that we would have a flag football league against the two other 6th grade classes (Mr. Berquist’s class, and Mr. Ledbetter’s class). Everyone in Mrs. Lomer’s class who turned out for the flag football team coached by our school principal, Mr. Lowe got to see if they could throw the football and complete passes to wide receivers who were running routes. After lots of good competition it came down to Mike and I. I thought Mike had a great arm for throwing the football and it was pretty much a tie. Mr. Lowe took Mike and I aside by ourselves and asked us if either of us had ever been a quarterback before. Mike said, “No and I don’t really want to be a quarterback I was just having fun throwing the ball and I’d rather play another position”. So, by default I became our 6th grade QB – thanks Mike. By the way Tim Blaylock was the QB for Mr. Berquist’s class and Mitch Warren was the QB for Mr. Ledbetter’s class. Mike continued to grow and mature and became a big strong athlete in high school playing on our football team’s offensive line and wore the number 62. It was pretty cool that Mike was #62, Rick Haight #63, and Loren Miller #64 on our football team.
Mike and I were also in the same Boy Scout Troop and had lots of fun scouting and camping together. I will miss seeing and talking with Mike at our reunions.
Mike, I look forward to seeing you again someday and throwing the football to each other.
Always,
Darren Talley
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