Fay O'Letta Ballagh (Wills)

FAY O’LETTA BALLAGH
98, of Cass City, died unexpectedly Friday, May 19, 2023. She was born October 31, 1924 at home in Huron County to George Ernest and Hilda Thaletta (Chambers) Wills. She married Harold D. Ballagh on November 4, 1944 in Fay’s parents’ home in Bad Axe. He died August 27, 2003.

Shortly after marriage, Fay owned and operated a family restaurant and gas station while raising her young family. This provided an active gathering place for neighbors and customers. After the restaurant closed, she was employed by Marshall Distributing assembling snowmobile tracks. Fay later worked at Hamill Manufacturing Company as a production worker. She was a member of 4-H for ten years. For over seventy years, Fay was a member of Fraser Presbyterian Church. She was an active member of its Ladies Association, preparing and serving meals and quilting with the proceeds going to missions. Fay and Harold were members of the Thumb Bums and Good Sam Trailer Clubs. They were also members of two euchre clubs which they enjoyed monthly with family and friends. For nineteen years, they happily wintered in Port Richey, FL. Fay and Harold attended a weekly coffee club every Thursday with friends. She continued this coffee club tradition well into her nineties. Mostly, they cherished their time traveling, visiting all fifty states, Canada, and Mexico. Fay relaxed by sewing, gardening, and watching birds.

Fay’s favorite pastime was hosting or attending cookouts, camping, family dinners, celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, holiday gatherings, and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and other activities. She successfully accomplished her wish to live independently in her own home.

Fay is survived by her daughters: Judy (Jim) Brown of Cass City, Betty (Dale) Stieg of LeRoy, Linda (Rev. Robert) Bellingar of Spring Hill, FL, Ann (Mark) Swanson of Concord, NC, Karen (Jerry) Nicol of Clarkston; fourteen grandchildren: Michelle (Marc) Hill, Lori (John) Kemp, Christopher (Brianna) Stieg, Alicia (Don) Woodman, Eric (Karn) Brown, Andy (Lisa) Stieg, Nicholas (Erica) Swanson, Jared Stieg, Evan (Abigail) Stieg, Kyle Swanson, Rebecca (Doug) Curtis, Elise (Marcus) Hosmer, Ethan (Claire) Nicol, Jenna Stieg (Grant Honeycutt); twenty-seven great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold; brother, Gerald (Lorraine) Wills; son-in-law, Mike Nicol; great granddaughter, Angel Woodman; brothers-in-law: Earl (Virginia) Ballagh, Clare (Marge) Ballagh, James (Stella) Ballagh; sisters-in-law: Mae (Jerry) Wagner, Beatrice (Lawrence) McDowell.

Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 2023 in Kranz Funeral Home with Rev. Christina Jensen of Fraser Presbyterian Church officiating, assisted by Rev. Kim Strunz and Rev. Robert Bellingar. Interment in Elkland Township Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mrs. Ballagh will be Christopher Stieg, Eric Brown, Andy Stieg, Nicholas Swanson, Jared Stieg, Evan Stieg, Kyle Swanson, Ethan Nicol. Memorials may be made to Fraser Presbyterian Church, Revive Ministries, or donor’s choice.

Visitation: 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2023 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City
10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 27, 2023 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City

Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City