Richard Ballman

Richard C. “Dick” Ballman, age 91, passed away Monday, January 2, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family, in Erie. He was born in Erie on October 29, 1931, a son of the late Arthur C. and Alice Doering Ballman.

Dick attended Academy High School. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict having served with the Tank Company, 112th Infantry, 28th Division, of the U.S. Army.

He was a teamster truck driver for 38 years. Dick drove for M.F.X; was an owner/operator for Pilot Freight and retired from Yellow Freight Systems in 1993. He also worked at his family owned business Erie Ambulance Service until 1973.

Dick was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, American Legion Carl Neff Post 571, Siebenbuerger Club, Teamsters Local No. 397 and Elk Valley Sportsman Club. He was also a member of S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie where he served on the Board of Directors and Hatchery Crew helping to improve fishing for all fisherman, bucket or boat.

He enjoyed fishing, woodworking and painting with oils and acrylics.

In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Elaine Schmeider Ballman in 2007; daughter, Linda St. George; three grandsons, Michael J., James J. and Michael F. St. George; sister, June Fuhrman; brother, Eugene “Sonny” Ballman; son-in-law, Fred St. George; and his companion of ten years, Betty Zimmerman in 2018.

He is survived by a son, Kenneth Ballman of Canadohta Lake, PA.; a daughter, Gayle Ritter (David) of Erie; three grandsons, Richard L. Ritter (Schylar) of Erie, Joshua M. Ballman of Reno, NV and Christopher M. Ritter (Victoria) of Painesville, OH; four great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Theodore Ballman and Ivy and Owen Ritter; He is further survived by three sisters, Donna Vaughn, Carol Snippert and Bonnie Powell, all of Erie; and a sister-in-law, Harriet Ballman of Erie. and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation and Funeral Services, Inc., West Ridge, 3801 West 26th Street, on Friday, January 6, 2023 from 2 to 6 pm and are invited to funeral services there on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Eric Young, of St. John’s Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial with full military honors by Erie Crawford County Burial Detail will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery.