Oscar J. Ballis, Jr. Obituary (1936 - 2020)

Tell City, Indiana Oscar J. Ballis, Jr., 84 passed away March 21, 2020. He was born in Perry County, Indiana on January 19, 1936 to Oscar John Ballis, Sr. and Juanita (Drake) Ballis. Also preceding him in death was a brother, Donnie Ballis and great grandson, Richard Schaefer. Oscar was 1954 graduate of Tell City High School and was a U.S. Navy veteran. He served as deputy sheriff for 15 years before being elected Perry County Sheriff from 1986-1994. When Oscar's term as sheriff ended, he did not stop helping the people of Perry County. It was his love of his community that drove him to help anyone in any way possible. He attended First Church of the Nazarene in Tell City and was a member of the American Legion Post #213. Oscar enjoyed being with his family and friends, attending Bible study and playing bingo at Twilight Towers. Surviving is his beloved wife, Alice Kowal, Tell City; his children, Gwen Sims, Indianapolis, Kevin Ballis (Barbara, deceased) Tell City, Melissa McManaway (Glenn), Tell City, Tammy Ballis, Tell City, John Ballis (Lauri) Gulf Shores, AL, Kimberly Haney (Mark), Tell City, Bonnie Williams (Jon), Hawesville and Jessica Hardin (James), Owensboro; Alice's children, Nancy Wheeler (Marty), Sun City, AZ, Janice Songer (Curt), Dale, Ronald Lloyd (Brenda), Tell City and Daniel Lloyd, Tell City; sister in law, Bonita Ballis, Tell City: several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Although Oscar loved so many people and his community, due to current state mandates, funeral services will be private. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be to the Perry County Sheriff's Office, First Church of the Nazarene, Tell City or Perry County Humane Society.