Russell Wesley Ballard

Vernon Ct.---Russell  Wesley  Ballard, 84, passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield on June 3, 2015. He was born in Springfield son of Russell and Helen Ruth (Cater) Ballard. He was employed for many years at Pratt&Whitney. He was a Korean War Veteran, serving in combat with the US Army 45th Infantry Division. He was a member of VFW Post 3439 of North Brookfield MA, VFW Post 6123 of Windsor Locks, and the Maple Grove Club of Rockville. He enjoyed traveling, especially his trips to Key West, New Orleans, Boston and Egypt. He was a former member of the Hartford Jazz Society, and always enjoyed listening to jazz and attending concerts in Newport RI, New Orleans and Hartford. Russell was predeceased by his wife Julianna (Wnukoski) Ballard and his brother Gerard. Russell is survived by his brother David Ballard and his wife Nancy of Hunt TX, and sisters, Patricia Ardolino and husband Anthony of Wilbraham MA, Mary Runge of Ware, Kathy Desmond and husband Paul of Monson MA, and Barbara Hanson and Husband George of Gilbertville MA. A committal service will be held on Tuesday June 9, at 2pm in the Mass. Veterans' Memorial Cemetery of Agawam. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka KS 66675, or at WoundedWarriorProject.org. Charbonneau Funeral Home of Ware MA, is entrusted with arrangements