Pete Ballenger

HARTFORD CITY, IN—

Peter Glenn “Pete” Ballenger, 80 of Hartford City, passed away Thursday evening, March 9, 2023 at Waters Edge Village of Muncie, after an extended illness.

Pete was born June 12, 1942 in Portsmouth, Virginia, returning to Indiana with his family after World War II.  After finishing eighth grade at St. John’s Catholic School, he entered the St. Louis de Monfort Seminary, in Bay Shore, New York as a high school freshman in 1956.

He completed his education for the priesthood in St. Louis, MO and was ordained in 1969.  He was the pastor of St. Teresa of Avila in St. Louis for twelve years and then was the pastor of St. Mary Gate of Heaven in Queens, NY for seven years.

After serving as a Catholic priest for nineteen years, he transitioned into a career as a carpenter.  He worked as a carpenter in New York City for fourteen years, until he retired and returned to Hartford City.

Pete was a great outdoorsman.  He loved fishing and hunting.  He enjoyed a good meal and a libation or two with dinner.  He also enjoyed visiting his brother’s family in Georgia, especially at Christmas time.

He is preceded in death by his father, Howard O. “Pete” Ballenger, Dec. 22, 1987, his mother Dolores C. (Clark) Ballenger on Sept. 19, 1998 and a brother David.

He is survived by his brother, Pat and sister-in-law, Connie of Lawrenceville, GA.  Three nieces:  Angie Ballenger Roberts (spouse, Keith) and their three children, Kamryn, Kaden and Karter, Lawrenceville, GA.; Krista Ballenger Sheppard (spouse Jason) and their children, Tyler and Emily of Dacula, GA; Kim Ballenger Langford (spouse Joe) and their two children, Riley and Dylan, Stewart Beach, FL.  One nephew, Michael Ballenger (spouse Angie) and their child Bryce of Flowery Branch, FL.  He also had a sister, Sandra Buckly, Henderson, NV.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2023 in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hartford City, with Father Robert Williams and Father Kevin Hurley concelebrating the mass.  Burial follows at the Hartford City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 12th in the Waters Funeral Home, 501 W. Washington St., Hartford City, with the Christian wake service beginning at 1:00 p.m.  Additional calling will be on Monday from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be in the form of masses to the church or to the Gibault Children’s Services, 6401 S. US Hwy 41, Terre Haute, IN  47802. www.gibault.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Pete Ballenger, please visit our floral store.