LAWRENCE, Kan. – Joseph E. “Pete” Ballenger, 86, of Lawrence, Kan., died Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Brookside Assisted Living in Overbrook, Kan. He was born Oct. 4, 1938, in Independence, Kan., the son of Joseph and Ruth (Crowell) Ballenger.
He graduated from Humboldt High School with the class of 1957. Pete served his country in the United States Navy between 1957 and 1961, attaining the rank of Seaman 3rd class. He was also in the Navy Reserves in 1961 and 1962. During his service, Pete was a signalman aboard the U.S.S. Midway.
On August 3, 1961, Pete was united in marriage to Janice Lewis, in Longton, Kan. Janice passed away Feb. 20, 2025, after sharing 63 years of loving marriage.
After his military service, Pete worked for Layton Oil, in the oil fields. He then worked for Starcraft, in Independence, Kan., until they closed down. Pete and Janice lived in Michigan from 1971, moving back to Kansas in 1976, where Pete worked at Electric Motor Shop. Between 1978 until his retirement in July 1995, Pete worked at Kansas Power & Light as a control room operator. In 1999, Janice and Pete moved to a 40-acre farm on the edge of Overbrook, where they lived until moving to Lawrence to be closer to their doctors in 2015.
Pete was a social butterfly, and could often be found socializing with his neighbors and having a beer in the garage. He was an avid softball player and coached Little League and softball for many years. Pete enjoyed golfing and fishing at Pomona Lake. He also owned, trained, and jockeyed racehorses. He was an involved member of Overbrook Bible Church, the Lions Club, and the VFW. He loved cooking, and was an amazing gardener. He was quick to read someone’s character, and was a trusted source of wisdom. He was frugal with his money, but shared freely to anyone in need. Above everything else, Pete loved his family, especially his grandchildren. He could often be found helping them with every inch of their schooling.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ruth Ballenger; his wife, Janice Ballenger; sister, Colleen Weilert; and brother, Lynn Ballenger.
He is survived by a son, Charles Ballenger and his wife, Carla, of Lawrence; daughter, Lisa Pelley, Aurora, Colo.; three grandchildren, Tyler Pelley and his wife, Jordyn, Parker, Colo., Austin Pelley, Aurora, and Connor Ballenger and his wife, Mallory, of Hillsboro, Ore.; and two great-grandchildren, Brody and Makynzie Pelley.
Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at Overbrook Bible Church, Overbrook. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Longton Cemetery, Longton. To celebrate Pete’s life, a visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 18, at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, 730 Western Heights Dr., Overbrook.
Memorial contributions can be made to Overbrook Bible Church, and sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, PO Box 268, Overbrook, KS 66524. Condolences can be left at www.lamb-roberts.com.
